Stabilization of biowastes

ABSTRACT

Biowaste treatment agents for treating biowastes in a manner which: (a) keeps noxious and toxic substances from being released from the biowaste, and (b) neutralizes such substances released during the course of stabilizing the biowaste. The treatment agents include a surfactant in an amount of from 1.0 to 99 percent of the treatment agent, a metal component in an amount from 0.5 to 85 percent of the treatment agent, the metal component including a source of zinc, or copper, or a combination of copper with aluminum or iron, and an aldehyde in an amount from 0.1 to 80 percent of the treatment agent.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/287,183 filed Aug. 8, 1994, entitled "Stabilization of Biowastes" nowabandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/886,417filed May 19, 1992, entitled "Stabilization of Biowastes", which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,444 on Oct. 4, 1994.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel methods forstabilizing biowastes and to polyfunctional complexes for accomplishingthis objective.

In another aspect the present invention relates to methods and complexesas just characterized which simplify the treatment of biowastes; makesafer, protect and improve the environment; and increase processingcapacity and the potential and conserved values of processed biowastesas end products.

BACKGROUND

Disposing of and effectively treating biowastes is an increasinglydifficult problem.

The abundant open dumping space of yesterday is now probably someone'sbackyard. The sites now left are surrounded by someone's air, living,and working spaces and located above someone's drinking water. Everyone,it seems, wants waste in someone else's back yard.

Earth's capacity to absorb and civilization's ability to ignore wastebehind a defense of rhetoric rather than action is very nearly at anend.

The axioms, sometimes self-serving, sometimes in hysterical response,that "dilution is the solution to pollution" and at the otherextreme--"compaction is the action of satisfaction"--are foundations ofheretofore employed waste management techniques. These approachescompletely fail to take into consideration the simple fact that theproblem of waste is not going to go away on its own accord. Endlesslydiluting, compacting, transporting, storing, transmutating orapportioning waste to air, earth and water merely prolongs but makesmore certain the ultimate reckoning.

One widely employed solution to the waste disposal problem isincineration of the offending material; another is controlled disposaland/or treatment of the waste in a digester, sanitary landfill, lagoon,compost pile, or the like.

Incineration is of limited value. Capital costs of the equipmentrequired to incinerate all of the wastes generated in a metropolitan orother populous area is prohibitive. Los Angeles, as one example, isreported to generate 500,000 tons of solid waste daily. Incineration isalso only a partial solution because non-combustible solids must oftenbe sorted out and otherwise disposed of prior to incineration.Furthermore, complex and noxious emissions generated by incineration aredifficult and expensive to control; and the solids generated in anincinerator (and often in an incinerator's stack gas scrubber) arewastes that must be transported to a landfill or other disposal site andstored. The location of acceptable sites for incinerators--especiallythose intended to accommodate body parts and other perhaps diseasedbiological wastes--is also a significant problem.

Because of the foregoing and other problems, landfills are still mostoften employed for solid waste disposal. Like incineration, thisapproach is not free of significant problems such as siting and theemission of noxious offgases including odorous and inodorous but toxicvolatile compounds (VC's). Other problems associated with the disposalof solid wastes in landfills include: the formation of toxic, oftenhighly corrosive leachates; the sheer bulk of the waste; and the controlof disease vectors including insects; birds (sea gulls are now beingobserved in number in the Great Plains); rodents; and other animals suchas raccoons, coyotes and the like. Also of concern is the loss ofvaluable raw material potentials such as plant and other nutrients foundin many biological wastes.

Problems of the character discussed above are also appurtenant to manyother waste generating and processing operations--composting processes,sewage digesters and lagoons, hospitals, septic tanks, feed lots,slaughterhouses, dairy herds and poultry flocks to name but a few.

These problems also exist in the collection, storage, and movement ofbiowastes from one point to another. Biochemical effluvia;bacteriologically contaminated garbage bags, cans, and dumpsters; andequally miasmatic garbage trucks, scows, sewer lines and other forms ofwaste transport prevail; and corrosive, toxic leachates are commonlypresent.

The same problems exist in the home, in institutions and elsewhere.Unpleasant and toxic volatile compounds evolved from biological wasteswhich are often contaminated with disease microorganisms are found onairplanes, buses, trains, and boats; in hospitals, nursing homes,restaurants, domestic bathrooms, kitchens and yards. In the home andelsewhere, carpets and other furnishings soiled by such biologicalwastes as vomit, animal feces, spoiled foods and urine also pose aproblem, especially from the viewpoint of the noxious and toxic volatileorganic and inorganic compounds they emit.

Extreme and expensive, yet only partially effective, measures are allthat are currently available to deal with the VC and disease potentialproblems described above. For example, governmental regulations commonlyrequire that the active site at a landfill be covered with six or moreinches of dirt after each day's operations to seal in volatiles and toform a physical barrier which will keep disease vectors fromcontaminated wastes. As much as possible of this dirt is then removedthe next working day, more waste is added, and the process is repeated.

Covering an irregular biowaste and trash surface with a layer of therequisite depth may be beyond the capability of even a conscientiousheavy equipment operator, especially under adverse conditions where onlya gluey clay or frozen soil may be all that is available. This approachcannot be employed when it is needed most--during prime daylight andworking hours. Furthermore, it has the disadvantage of filling uplandfills with dirt instead of wastes. Landfill sites are expensive; andcommunities, if not entire nations, are running out of sites to whichtheir waste products can affordably be transported.

Other covers--tarpaulins and nets--are occasionally employed instead ofdirt. Expensive, inconvenient and filthy from continued reuse, thesecovers are difficult to roll out and roll up each day. They do not lastvery long, are only somewhat effective and are more an indication of theseriousness of the problem than a solution to it. Like the dirt cover,the net or tarp offers no protection against or neutralization of VC'sand disease vectors during working hours. Nets and tarps also becomecontaminated with septic liquids in or generated by decomposition of thebiowaste. Nets simply add another site attractive to pests and diseasevectors. Moreover, workers required to handle septic nets and tarps areat risk while the cost of landfill waste disposal is increased. Finally,nets and tarps, like dirt, become an additional waste disposal burden asthey must ultimately be absorbed into the landfill.

Leachates pose a very significant environmental problem. Prevalent andwidely publicized are the contamination of water tables and nearbystreams, lakes and other bodies of water with leachates from landfills.

In newer landfills, the approach to solving the leachate problem hasbeen to place an impervious polymeric liner in a basin or depression atthe active site and dump the waste onto the liner. Leachates are drainedfrom the liner into pools or ponds adjacent the landfill. These liquidsare extremely noxious and toxic, a result mostly of the anaerobicprocesses dominant in a fill. The collected leachates are in mostcircumstances simply hauled away from the landfill and incinerated.

Commonly associated with these noisome leachates are also deleteriousvolatile organic compounds (VC's) and equally offensive inorganic gasesand vapors. Profiles of the VC's commonly associated with leachates arevery complex; but many noxious and toxic, gaseous sulphur and nitrogencompounds are invariably present. Leachates collected in landfill pondsand lagoons are accordingly a major source of atmospheric pollution.

Sewage treatment and other waste processing plants commonly employ morepermanent leachate containments such as concrete sludge basins anddissolved air flotation cells, approaches not practical for landfills orfor other disposal sites such as agricultural lagoons. Transport andincineration of leachates is expensive and merely serves to concentratethe noxious elements into more subtle but no less deadly oxidationproducts disseminated without treatment into the atmosphere.

In many circumstances, plastic bags with twist ties, containers withtight fitting lids and the like are employed to contain refuse, offgasesand exuded liquids and to protect biowastes from pests and insects andother disease vectors with varying degrees of success. Bags and othercontainers only become a part of and do not solve the waste disposalproblem because the containment does not reduce the amount of solid orliquid waste or offgases but simply stores these materials until theseal or barrier is broken in the collection, handling, disposal andother processing of the waste. Moreover, the breakdown of the storedwaste by anaerobic processes can often proceed rapidly in the low oxygenenvironment of a waste storage container. It is generally accepted thatanaerobic processes generate more noxious and toxic byproducts thanaerobic processes do. So, to some extent, the solid waste disposalproblem is ultimately worsened by use of storage containers. Isolatingbiowastes for handling and transportation to a disposal site isimportant but does not solve, only increases, the problems encounteredat the waste disposal site.

Biowastes are collected and moved from the collection point tocollection stations, then to the treatment and/or disposal site in orthrough such diverse receptacles as toilets, sewage pipes, theabove-discussed plastic bags and garbage cans, and garbage trucks, toname only a few. Non-disposable waste collection and transportationcontainers including toilets, bedpans, garbage cans, dumpsters and thelike can be cleaned to remove waste materials, a procedure whichinherently minimizes the spread of these materials throughout theenvironment. Often employed for cleaning are aqueous solutions ofcommercial surfactants. If done properly, this approach is effective.However, it has the disadvantage of generating waste laden water, whichin itself poses a significant waste disposal problem. Furthermore, inthe collection, storage and transportation of biowastes, the commonapproach is to handle solid biowastes and liquid leachates together.Leaks and spillage and contamination of rolling stock are obvious andimportant drawbacks of this approach.

Aside from those discussed above, the disposal of biowastes hasassociated therewith the problem of controlling offensive odors emittedfrom the waste as it undergoes a variety of chemical reactions.Complexes commonly but inaccurately described as deodorants and usuallycomprised of volatile organic compounds have been used in attempts tocompete with ubiquitous, noxious and toxic volatiles emitted fromorganic wastes. So-called deodorant bathroom sprays are widelyavailable. And, at some landfills, the covering of the active site witha net at the close of each working day may be followed by theapplication of an aromatic complex to mediate the olfactory effects ofmalodorous volatile compounds.

The use of so-called deodorants for the purposes just described is atbest of only limited effectiveness. Deodorants do not neutralize theinodorous but noxious volatile compounds commonly associated withmalodors, and they deal with the malodor problem only through thequestionable phenomenon of masking the offensive odor with a moreacceptable one. Deodorants are expensive, tend to have a very limited ifany real effectiveness and actually contribute to the problem by addingadditional volatile compounds to those already existent in the problemarea. Many biowastes contain significant concentrations of constituentswith significant nitrogen, sulfur and other nutrient values. Thesepotentially economically important constituents are routinely lost frombiowastes because there is no practical process for preventing the lossof these values by volatization.

Instead, efforts have been limited to recovering products withnutritional and other values from the non-volatile components ofbiowastes. Among the traditional techniques and systems employed totreat and recover such products are digesters for sewage; dissolved airflotation cells for food and other process wastes; drying offermentation byproducts, grains, and spent microorganisms; spray dryingof whey; the drying or homogenizing of manure and fish into fertilizers;agricultural field spraying of livestock wastes; the recovery of pulpsfrom the paper and vegetable and fruit processing industries; themanufacture of products such as particle board from wood and plantwastes and particles; offal rendering and composting.

One of the most valuable constituents of many biowastes is the water inwhich the biowaste solids are carried. Water is in very short supply inmany regions of the world and is expensive. Currently, there are noviable methods for recovering and recycling this water, even forsecondary (non-consumption) uses such as washdown; irrigation andoperation of boilers, condensers, and cooling towers. Obviously lackingin waste disposal is a recovery technique which would be of considerableeconomic and other value to hard pressed and water short industries andto agriculturists.

With the exception of rendering, processes for recovering values frombiowastes are essentially designed for controlling, handling anddisposing of biowaste at as little cost as possible. The value ofproducts actually recovered is very small compared to the productpotential. Salvage processes do nothing to protect biowastes prior to orduring processing; and they hasten evolution of volatiles, yieldingproducts only after the majority of the damage to the original productand to the environment has been done.

Typical of the salvage processes in widespread use is composting.Composting has the drawback that it is a lengthy process--taking monthsto a year or more--, and space must be found for the compost pile forthis extended period of time. Furthermore, the gases "belched off" asthe compost is turned to provide adequate aeration contain much of thenutrient values in the decomposing organic materials. The resultingcompost is a more-or-less inert humus with few if any beneficialconstituents. Other potential values are lost to leachates formed andwashed away during the composting process.

Agricultural spraying of livestock wastes is an example of anothertraditional biowaste salvage process. Though thought to be beneficial,this process actually increases pollution while reducing nutritionalvalues potentially available from the biowaste. Typically, dairy wastesfrom clean-up and wash down of milking barns are collected in a pond orlagoon. The biowastes are loaded with valuable, biologically activemicroorganisms, enzymes and other digestive factors and partiallydigested or unspent nutrients which decompose as they are held in thecontainment area. Depending on conditions at this site, a multitude ofnoxious and toxic offgases and liquids are generated. Economicallyimportant materials are taken off in these offgases and exudates. Theseinclude values most needed as plant nutrients--nitrogen and sulfur.

Subsequent high pressure spraying forces stored gases out of themixture, releasing the remaining values into the air as pollutants. Thedepleted waste reaching the soil and vegetation has little, if any,value. These immense losses to the soil and flora must be made up forwith synthetic fertilizers and nutrients, representing a staggering andcompletely avoidable economic loss. Agricultural spraying of livestockwastes is also very wasteful of water. The concentration of water tosolids in residues generated by washing down stalls, barns and the likeis on the order of 95% water to 5% solids.

Current additives such as "polymers" (proprietary agglomerates) to thewashdown water are not the answer. Additives used to enhance theconcentration, compaction by dewatering, and separation of water borneanimal wastes as well as waste waters from other industries eitherresult in poor quality separations or alterations in the character ofmany waste constituents from potentially useable to toxic.

In short, there is currently lacking any technique or products for sotreating biowastes as to: immobilize, neutralize or prevent theformation of noxious, toxic and even explosive volatiles and leachates;to more effectively compact biowastes and thereby make more effectiveuse of waste processing systems and sites; to improve retention andrecovery of potential economic values; to provide practical methods ofinsect, pest and disease vector control; to recover significant inherentvalues in the form of improved, traditional or new products or toimprove pollution control in the collecting, treating, transporting anddisposing of biowastes.

SUMMARY AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There have now been invented and disclosed herein certain new and novelmethods and materials for stabilizing biological wastes which are freeof the above-discussed disadvantages of processes and productsheretofore available for that purpose.

Speaking generally, the biowaste stabilization techniques disclosedherein entail the application of a polyfunctional biowaste treatmentcomplex (PBTC) to a biowaste: to replace conventional surfactants in amanner also providing biowaste stabilization, retarded pollutants; toneutralize offensive substances released from the biowaste in the formof exudates and VC's and other noisome offgases; to inhibit the releaseof such substances by sequestration, complexing and other mechanisms; tosequester and thereby conserve inherent materials of value; to augmentthe potential value of biowaste components; to shorten biowastetreatment times; to reduce noxiousness of present waste handling,transportation and processing systems permitting them to operate moreeffectively and safely with only minimal alterations; to better workerconditions; to reduce attractancy thus providing improved pest anddisease vector control; and to facilitate the dewatering andconcentration of biowastes and thereby conserve the space available inscarce and expensive waste disposal sites.

The principal or primary constituents of a PBTC are all polyfunctional.These constituents are:

a surface active treatment agent/synergizer (TA/S),

an oligodynamic metal source (OMS), and

a synergizable, biowaste stabilizing and vapor

neutralizing reactant/photosensitizer (SR/P).

The foregoing primary constituent designators identify what willcommonly be the most important functions of those constituents. Thisapproach has been adopted for the sake of brevity and conciseness but isnot intended to imply that those stated are the only capabilities whichthe primary constituents have. Other, at times even equally importantfunctions of these primary constituents will be discussed below.

A PBTC in its simplest form is a synergistic combination of surfactant,metal and aldehyde components. A simple PBTC therefore superficiallyresembles a metal soap. The differences in characteristics and function,however, are vastly different. The high degree of biowaste interactionof PBTC's can not under any circumstances be anticipated from aknowledge of the functionality and characteristics of metal soaps whichare in actuality entirely unrelated in any respect whatsoever.

The TA/S constituent is comprised of at least one of the class ofsurfactants, surfactant precursors and solvents. The OMS can be providedin elemental or combined form. In many cases, a metallohalogen compoundwill prove the most advantageous. The SR/P is typically an aldehydealthough other compounds with the requisite functions are available andcan be employed instead.

Once their assigned preliminary functions have been performed, one ormore of these PBTC components in reacted or surplus form may performadditional functions and thereby provide added benefits--for example, bygoverning the release of complexed nutrients which, if released tooquickly or easily from the improved or stabilized biowaste, mightotherwise yield unwanted pollution or damage and detract from a valuableend use of the processed biowaste.

The selection of components for a particular PBTC is dependent upon thebiowaste to be treated and the specific objectives of the treatment.

An initial consideration in TA/S selection is compatibility with a givenbiowaste substrate. Another requisite is that the TA/S must provideand/or facilitate such necessary functions of the PBTC as: goodPBTC/substrate contact, detergency, solvency, sorbency, wetting,diffusion, vapor-to-vapor reactions, protein and lipid ineractions,dewatering, conservation of potential values, improvement in end productvalues, compaction and the many other possible facilitating functionswhich make efficient neutralization and stabilization of biowastespossible.

A second primary consideration in the selection of a TA/S is its abilityto maximize the effectiveness of the biowaste treatment complex. Thenext consideration is the maximization of value retention andimprovement of biowaste in materials produced by interaction of the PBTCwith, and the addition of that complex to, the PBTC. Finally, selectionof a TA/S should be related to maximum stability of the biowaste interms of yielding treated products of reduced toxicity and noxiousness.

Anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactantsand judicious combinations of such surfactants may all be employed,depending upon such factors as the characteristics of the biowaste beingtreated, the application-specific objectives of the treatment and theultimate destiny of the treatment complex or system. To provide maximumsynergism with other components of the system, the surfactant may bechosen to provide a high degree of reactivity and provided in excess tothe biowaste substrate so that, throughout the biowaste stabilizationprocess, the TA/S will be a primary reactant and still providefacilitating concentrations for other PBTC component/substrateinteractions.

The oligodynamic metal--aluminum, copper, zirconium, zinc, magnesium,manganese, silver or iron--is chosen for its ability to interact in manyroles with a wide range of materials in the biowaste. The metal may act,for example, as a catalyst, a Lewis acid, a Br onsted acid, an ionacceptor, an adduct former, a ligand, a cross-linking agent or anelectrophile and, in some cases, as a biosterilant, as part of a proteinproduct inclusion complex or a sorbent. In most PBTC applications, suchas the treatment of carboxylic acid components of sewage for example, itis preferred that the metal or metallohalide source be one whichprovides a strong electrolyte in the treatment of the biowaste.

In this respect, the OMS may also be chosen for its ability tosynergistically cooperate with the TA/S in the biowaste treatmentprocess. For example, where the substrate is high in N or S, high inwater, low in solids and of high pH, the combination of a cationic, pHbuffering TA/S and a metal such as reduced copper results in a pluralityof immediate interactions which cause dramatic neutralization andstabilization of the substrate.

The anionic or donor capability and cationic or acceptor capability ofthe TA/S may be used up in forming coordination complexes in conjunctionwith the oligodynamic metal source constituents, leaving that TA/Sunable to perform such important synergistic functions such asdispersion, detergency, solvency, sorbency and wetting of substrateligands. To insure against this possibility, one or more additionalsurfactants of non-ionic and even amphoteric character can be added tothe complex.

The addition of a second, system compatible surfactant to a PBTC maythus dramatically improve interactions between the PBTC and a biowasteby eliminating or reducing incompatabilities which interfere with theseinteractions. This is also true for volatiles evolved from biowastesubstrates if one or more of the PBTC components are vapor-to-vaporinteractive or provide a sorbing or condensing mechanism to trap evolvedvolatiles and provide more intimate contact and additional reactiontime. The PBTC may act at the substrate interface to intercept volatilesand to arrest or retard the formation of volatiles. These reactions maysimply stop breakdown interference by: cross-linking protein and proteinbreakdown products, minimizing or eliminating enzyme poisoning breakdownmechanisms or producing more durable complexes which interrupt theongoing anabolic cycle.

In applications involving biowaste substrates containing protein andprotein breakdown products such as peptides and amines, copper is oftenthe preferred oligodynamic metal. Copper demonstrates a remarkableability to form a bond at pH 7 to peptide nitrogen. Cu (and Fe) alsosimultaneously and indiscriminately catalyze both oxidation andhydrolysis. In its elemental form copper is the best selection for thebroadest application. However, while it may interact with a broadvariety of biowaste substrates, the products of the interaction are ofonly moderate stability. To assure a greater range of action and degreeof stability, cupric copper (or aluminum or ferric iron) and the likemay be employed.

Also, if a wider degree of interactancy by such mechanisms as catalysis,coordination compounding, floccing, precipitation, compacting and thelike between the PBTC system and biowaste solids is desirable,additional oligodynamic metals such as aluminum, silver, zinc,magnesium, manganese, zirconium and iron or sources of these metals maybe added. Such additions can result in increased aggregation of solidsand dramatic reductions in volatile emissions as well as such additionalfunctions as agglomeration, hydrolysis and dewatering.

Nickel and cobalt, while oligodynamically active in biowaste treatment,are of very limited use due to toxicological and cost considerations.They also tend to be relatively ineffective except when applied underexceptional anaerobic conditions where nickel may compete veryeffectively with copper.

Calcium compounds such as calcium chloride and carbonate exhibit nooligodynamic properties of consequence. However, they may oftenadvantageously be used as "sweetener" and in the humectant conditioningof biowastes.

The third primary PBTC constituent--the SR/P--is selected for itsbiowaste stabilization capabilities and its ability to neutralize VC'sby vapor phase reactions. In many cases, this constituent is alsoselected for its ability to sensitize and promote the activity of thecomplex by ultraviolet radiation in a manner which makes the complexsignificantly more effective--in a typical case by an order of magnitudeor more.

Photosensitized activity of a character useful in biowaste treatment isexhibited by even the simplest, two component PBTC's such as thosecomprised of silver and AEPD (3-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol). In thissimplest case the silver apparently endows the complex with theappropriate degree of interactancy/photosensitivity; and the overallPBTC system not only provides rapid and more effective PBTC/biowasteinteractions such as neutralization of VC's and increased effectivenessin terms of reactivity with the biomass but, upon exposure to light,provides a definitive partitioning of biomass solids and aqueous liquidsby phase separation. This phenomenon is not well understood, and it ispossible that the AEPD enhances the photosensitivity of the silver justas benzaldehyde, benzil or benzoic acid does in the presence of copperand other metal ions. In any event, the photosensitivity enhancesbiomass treatments by mechanisms including more effective stabilizationof biomass components; provides quicker and more effective solid/liquidseparations in the presence of ambient light and quicker, more effectivevapor reductions requiring less PBTC and making marginally effectivecombinations with silver and other OMS ions considerably more effectivethan otherwise.

In some instances the metal contributes to photosensitivity but inothers it merely has activity enhanced by a photosensitizing aid whichmakes the complex more effective. The effectiveness of photosensitivePBTC complexes against biomass waste components may be a result ofphotolysis (photochemical decomposition), photo induced polymerization,oxidation and ionizations and fluorescence and phosphorescence. Freeradicals are probably involved, these acting as initiators orintermediates in oxidation, photolysis and polymerization.

SR/P compounds which are known to contribute to enhanced oligodynamiceffectiveness or in conjunction with other constituents make PBTC's moreeffective include aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, aldehyde mixtures,benzoic acid, benzil, and benzoyl peroxide. The SR/P also participatesin combination with other PBTC components in interactions includingoxidation, reduction, addition, polymerization, destruction of livingorganisms, odor recharacterization and vapor-to-vapor interactions withvolatile and nonvolatile constituents of biowastes. A major advantage ofthe SR/P component is its ability in conjunction with other componentsto prevent formation of, neutralize or otherwise make less harmful theinterstitial and fugitive volatiles emitted from biowaste.

As suggested in the foregoing discussion of photosensitized PBTC's, itis possible by judicious selection from the three types of primarycomponents discussed above to provide a two-component PBTC system withthe ability to effectively treat many biowaste substrates such as someleachates and sludges. In this case, because silver has botholigodynamic and photosensitive characteristics, two primary PBTCrequirements in addition to SR/P functions are provided by the secondconstituent of the two-component system--an SR/P such AEPD. As mentionedpreviously, the favorable biomass waste treating capacity of the twocomponent system is believed to result primarily from forces related toendowment of the system with an appropriate degree of photosensitivity,however obtained. Effectiveness of the few known examples of twocomponent PBTC's is nevertheless enhanced or improved by addition of aTA/S.

More typical, however, and effective for more difficult biowastetreatments, is the synergistic combination of the three primary PBTCconstituents--a TA/S, TA/S precursor or source; an OMS which may oftenadvantageously be a metallohalogen compound or a complex which is asource of a type a or type b Lewis acid and a SR/P withphotosensitization capabilities.

There are biowastes which include stable forms of noxious and toxicmatter, usually the original matter comprising some or most of a givenbiowaste. Such stable materials include complex saturated andunsaturated hydrocarbons of biological origin or resulting fromcommingling of wastes such as aromatic and paraffinic hydrocarbons andheterocyclic compounds and the like including natural resins, tars,petroleum, and solvents such as benzenes, toluenes, terpenes, terpenoidsand the like. When these more treatment resistant classes of substratesare encountered in a biowaste, the addition of a fourth class ofcomponent--a metallohalogen augmenter of the OMS or other halogensource--provides more complete stabilization of the biowaste.

Thus, both three and four component systems may advantageously include ahalogen source--a halide of an oligodynamic metal in the case of a threecomponent system and a halogen augmenter which may or may not include anoligodynamic metal if a four component complex is selected although ametallohalogen augmenter containing an oligodynamic metal is preferred.

There are instances where a particular biowaste is high in bound copper,and it may be impractical to provide a PBTC component to reactivate thatcopper as an "active" constituent of PBTC and consequently inappropriateto use more copper as an oligodynamic component. Aluminum, iron,zirconium, silver and particularly zinc, alone or in combination, can besubstituted in this capacity. However, it will frequently require atleast two metals to replace copper in the treatment of most biowastes.Aluminum and iron, aluminum and zinc, aluminum and silver, and silverplus zinc or iron are all usable combinations. Another instance,requiring copper plus another metal, is where copper has been or islikely to be consumed in the treatment process; and there is no excess.

In many applications of the invention, decomposition of a biowaste willhave proceeded to a degree where emissions of volatiles are alreadysubstantial; and supplemental concentrations in the PBTC of remedialvapor-to-vapor reactants are required in compensatory response. In othercases, only inherent emission sources in the biowaste need to betreated. There, the SR/P may be supplemented to assist in vapor-to-vaporneutralization of interstitially stored volatiles, but the SR/P is animportant constituent and needs to: (1) be available and participate informing synergistic complexes of the OMS and to interact with the OMSand complexes formed therefrom in polymerizing and cross-linkingproteinaceous and other constituents of biowaste substrates; (2)interact in the vapor phase with biowaste volatiles; and (3) providesome odor recharacterization to the biowaste substrate. It is preferablein these circumstances to provide a PBTC with fifth primaryingredient--a volatile acid or ammonium ion source which reinforcesvapor-to-vapor interactions, interdiction or restraint against theemission of noxious and toxic volatiles. The volatile acid, ammonium ionsource or complexes thereof may also be used in lieu of the halogen ionsource if the latter is not necessary for treating anomalous componentsin a particular biowaste. There will be occasions, however, where both ahalogen and a volatile acid, an ammonium ion source may be required.

Almost any compatible volatile acid or volatile acid complex orammoniacal ion source may be used. The preferred volatile acids arehydrochloric and acetic, the preferred complexes are surfactants basedon those or sulfuric acid salts, and the preferred ammonium ion sourceis ammonium hydroxide (or aqua ammonia). The ammoniacal ion canalternatively be provided by a TA/S such as benzalkonium chloride or anammonium salt-containing surfactant. An alternative to the acid is asurfactant based on said acid salt.

In systems with two, three, four and even five primary components, thePBTC constituents all operate synergistically; and the PBTC unexpectedlyand uncharacteristically functions, when interacted with biowastes, asif it contained a much larger number and concentration of separateconstituents including:

    ______________________________________                                        Liquids             Volatiles                                                                              Solids                                           ______________________________________                                        a wetting agent,    .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a sequestrant,      .check mark.       .check mark.                           a cleaning agent,   .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a penetration aid,  .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a dispersant,       .check mark.       .check mark.                           an ionic antagonist,                                                                              .check mark.       .check mark.                           an odor characterizer                                                                             .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           and/or recharacterizer,                                                       a polar reaction component,                                                                       .check mark.       .check mark.                           a nitrogen, sulfur  .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           binder/ligand acceptor, donor,                                                a carboxylic acid (COOH) binder,                                                                  .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a protein and protein                                                                             .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           breakdown product complexing                                                  and fixing agent,                                                             a reducing agent,   .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a polymerizing and cross-    .check mark.                                     linking agent/OMS aid,                                                        a biowaste neutralization                                                                         .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           promoting catalyst,                                                           a nitrogen fixative,                                                                              .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a sulfur fixative,  .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a fatty acid reactant,                                                                            .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a dewatering agent, .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a compaction aid,            .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a precipitation aid,                                                                              .check mark.       .check mark.                           a floccing aid,                        .check mark.                           an aggregation aid,                    .check mark.                           a buffer,           .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a sorption aid,     .check mark.                                              a solubilization aid,                                                                             .check mark.       .check mark.                           a micronutrient/    .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a vapor-to-liquid,  .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           vapor-to-solid and                                                            vapor-to-vapor reactant,                                                      a hydrocarbon reactant,                                                                           .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           a terpene or        .check mark.                                                                           .check mark.                                                                            .check mark.                           sesquiterpene reactant.                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Other, secondary constituents can often be advantageously incorporatedin a PBTC or derived from the PBTC in the course of the biowastetreatment. A by no means exhaustive list of useful secondaryconstituents includes:

a humectant,

an odor characterizing agent,

an odor recharacterizing agent,

an antioxidant,

an insect and/or animal repellent,

a scavenger,

a fermentation or other digestive microorganism,

an oxygen source,

a sterilant,

a biocide,

a biostat,

a chelate,

a clathrate (inclusion compound),

an enzyme and/or other catalyst,

an indicator dye,

a marking dye,

a gelling agent,

a foaming agent,

a soil amendment,

a barrier layer former,

a cellulosic interactant cover or containment film former,

elements for effecting a controlled release of selected components fromthe PBTC.

Any product requiring separate components for the above-identifieddistinct functions of the primary constituents in a PBTC or even nearthis many primary ingredients, let alone one with optional constituents,would be impractical. One very important advantage of the novel PBTCsystems disclosed herein is that they typically have only fewcomponents, yet can have at a minimum all of the primary functions (andadditional optional functions) identified above when applied to complexbiowaste systems such as organic sludges, hospital wastes, landfills,fish and meat processing wastes, poultry and poultry wastes, mushroombedding and leachates or many less complex systems such as composts,livestock fecal wastes, sewage, food processing and other biowastelagoons and the like. Although only a very few components are absolutelyessential, the actual number of constituents in a PBTC designed for aparticular specific application may vary, depending upon such parametersas the nature of the biowaste being treated, the manner in which thePBTC is to be applied, and the objective of the treatment in aparticular application.

The composition of a PBTC appropriate for the treatment of a givenbiowaste may be determined by: analysis of the basic substrate to betreated, review of process parameters, determination of the desiredeffects and identification of end products which may be retained or madeavailable to improve biowaste value and to stabilize and preventpollution by biowaste substrates.

A typically less complicated approach, and one which produces more thansatisfactory results in most instances, is to base the composition ofthe PBTC on the ionic character of the dominant species in the offgasfrom the biowaste being treated. While the offgases vary considerablyfrom one biowaste substrate to another, there is usually a dominantpolar/ionic species except in very rare instances. The polar/ionic(ligand/acceptor) nature of dominant offgas components offersconsiderable useful information about the chemical nature of thebiowaste substrate from which it is derived and also provides a goodindicator of where the substrate is in the anabolic process of substratedecomposition.

In a few instances such as those involving the treatment of biowasteswhere petroleum products, solvents or terpenes, olefins and similarhydrocarbons may be present, the offgases may exhibit little or no polarcharge. In others cases such as more mature landfills, offgases fromdeeper layers may be of a more substantially intermixed ionic character.In these cases, also, information on the nature of the offgas can leaddirectly to the formulation of a PBTC for effectively treating thebiowaste giving off the gas(es).

In most cases, formulation of the PBTC to neutralize the biowasteoffgases based on the polar/ionic nature of these gases is also requiredor at least advantageous. Usually, the offgases will include very weaklypolar or non-ionic volatiles which may also require treatment.

Most complex forms of biowaste such as food processing wastes are inliquid form or of a more solid form such as municipal garbage which emitleachates and gases comprised of such chemical species as primary,secondary and tertiary amines; ammonia; carboxylic acids; sulfides; thiocompounds and the like. Resins, solvents, and olefins and otherhydrocarbons are with certain notable exceptions seldom consistentlypresent to any substantial degree.

A less complex biowaste than many of those alluded to above is compost.This biowaste is usually all plant matter --leaves, branches, twigs,grass trimmings, vegetable and fruit peels, sewage, etc. Decompositionof compost frequently yields condensates, liquids and offgases in whichhydrocarbons--particularly terpenes, phenolics and other compounds withcomplex ring structures--coexist with protein and lipid breakdownproducts. Treatment of composts with a PBTC as described herein isparticularly effective and yields a more useful fodder, fertilizer,fermentation stock or humus due to the retention of valuable nutrientswhich are retained as a result of PBTC treatment and are not lost asfugitive volatile pollutants.

Whether organic or inorganic, the vast majority of compositions in thebiomass substrate and present as gases evolved therefrom arecharacterized by one of five basic moieties--N (nitrogen), S (sulfur),COOH (carboxylic), C₂ H₂ (resins/solvents) and heterocyclics. Of these,N and S will with certain exceptions be present in the majority and COOHand C₂ H₂ present in the minority of the substrate materials which causepollution and/or have valuable end product potential. In short, theprincipal sources of pollution in most biowastes are those constituentscontaining sulfur and nitrogen with fatty acids and their derivativesalso commonly being present. These ubiquitous biowaste macroconstituentsmanifest themselves in a wide variety of anabolic byproducts and mayoccur in gas, liquid and solid states.

Where possible, the PBTC is formulated to so treat and complement agiven biowaste as to provide a substrate for selected fermentationorganisms. In this way, the biowaste may be constructively altered toenhance processing of the biowaste and/or to provide valuablefermentation products and byproducts which may enhance the value of thebiowaste, or increase by conversion of otherwise noxious components,valuable, recoverable end products or byproducts.

The principal sulfur compounds found in waste waters are sulfates. Themost common volatile sulfur compound responsible for atmosphericpollution are sulfur dioxides and hydrogen sulfide. Many offensiveorganic sulfur compounds such as the mercaptans are also found inbiowastes.

Sulfur compounds are generally more difficult to treat when the sulfuris present in a heterocyclic ring. Both organic and inorganic volatilesulfur compounds are resistant to neutralization, immobilization andpreservation by currently known biowaste treatments.

Neutralization and sequestration of sulfurous biowaste compoundsresolves an important pollution problem and preserves a valuableresource which can be recycled in fertilizers, soil amendments, fodders,composts and such. The same is of course true for nitrates and othernitrogen compounds.

Nitrogen is a macro nutrient for vegetation and should at allopportunities in treating biowastes be conserved in a form that makesthe nitrogen available as a potential nutrient rather than beingreleased into liquid or air as a pollutant.

Nitrogen and sulfur based TP/S's are in this regard sometimes preferredfor PBTC's as the spent or excess PBTC can then make a positivecontribution to the raw material potential of the treated biowaste. Forsimilar reasons, oligodynamic metals can be selected from those whichmay contribute important micronutrients to biowastes used asfermentation stocks, as composts or fertilizers. This may beparticularly important in regions where biowastes may be used asfodders, high value fertilizers, soil amendments and value added orprocess-accelerating fermentation stocks or fermentation valuableproducts and byproducts.

Formulation of an appropriate, if not optimal, PBTC is made easier byvirtue of the limited number of relationships that commonly exist amongthe different types of pollutants in biowaste offgases. A biowasteoffgas high in nitrogenous compounds, for example, will typicallycontain few if any fatty acids although there may be some coexistentvapors with sulfur radicals. The converse is also true; biowastes highin fatty acids will typically emit relatively small amounts ofnitrogenous compounds and few if any sulfur based volatiles.

Nitrogenous offgases usually indicate that proteins or proteinaceouscompounds dominate the biowaste substrate (the presence of volatileswith sulfur radicals may also indicate the presence of sulfur bearingproteins but can arise as a result of other factors). If lipids arepresent, their breakdown will be suppressed or sequestered by thegreater concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur resulting from anabolicdecomposition. Conversely, when fatty or other carboxylic acids are inthe majority, they dominate some, if not all, of the nitrogenous andsulfur volatiles of a substrate.

Carbohydrates usually become carbon sources for microorganisms.Depending on the process conditions in the substrate--aerobic oranaerobic--, available micronutrients, substrate pH, available oxygenand other parameters, one or more dominant species will be favored. Theresulting polar/ionic nature of offgases is related to characteristicscommon to decomposition and microbial products formed during biowasteprocessing and as a result of treatment.

Metabolites and inherent components of the biowaste make up the chemicalspecies requiring treatment. These include proteins, peptides,polypeptides, amines, fermentation products and byproducts, esters,phenols, ethers, alcohols, organic acids, glycols, terpenes,sesquiterpenes and the like. Conditioners, macro and micronutrients,catalysts and even innoculums and other PBTC ingredients can be utilizedto favor one microbial species and the consequent production ofbeneficial metabolites. Moreover, the fundamental character of thebiowaste itself may be altered and process efficiency improved at thesame time.

Decomposition products comprised of aromatic and unsaturatedolefins--terpenes, sesquiterpenes and particular species such aslimonene, pinene and camphenes, for example, are the most resistant totreatment. However, modification of the basic PBTC formulation with ahalogen, usually in conjunction with an oligodynamic cation, will, withthe aid of solventizing and sorptive action over time, readily complexor otherwise sequester these difficult-to-treat volatile organiccompounds. Also, where terpenes are encountered, the addition ofspecific solubilizers such as propylene glycol and glacial acetic acidmay facilitate sorption and reactions. For this reason, solubilizers forthe foregoing organic compositions are usually incorporated into thePBTC. As a result, desirable reactions which might not otherwise occurmay take place over time once volatiles have been sequestered orotherwise acted upon.

Normally, undecomposed biowastes exhibit significantly higher rawmaterial potential if preserved early in anabolysis and are asubstantial cause of noxious and toxic pollution if they are not.

Also, in those instances where greater stability of the biowaste isdesired, solubilizers may be employed to further enhance interactionbetween the PBTC and the biowaste. This is particularly true if biowasteprocessing is to be improved and if there is a potential end use for thebiowaste.

Biowastes high in lipids usually produce pollutants dominated by liquidsand offgases containing carboxylic acids and esters. In such instances,a PBTC containing at least one TA/S of the antagonistic ionic type maybe used but a PBTC containing one or more cationic, nonionic and/oramphoteric compositions is preferred. The surface active composition ispolyfunctionally used in this case as a polar VC antagonist to controlpolar dominated biowaste breakdown products. While there will normallybe enough polar antagonistic surfactant to perform the requiredfunctions, it is sometimes practical to include an additional,PBTC/biowaste compatible surfactant. This ensures that, if all of theantagonistic surfactant is reacted, sufficient synergistic benefits ofthe reserve or secondary surfactant are available to wet the biowastesurface, promote penetration and provide other interactions necessary toachieve treatment objectives consistent with various biowastesubstrates.

PBTC treatment complexes may be structured from a practical viewpoint infive basic formula types. In representative cases water is the carrier.

The first basic class of PBTC's is a two-component system or complex. Ithas an oligodynamic metal or source and a vapor neutralizingreactant/photosensitizer but no treatment agent/synergizer. However,even the most broadly effective two-component PBTC is profoundlyimproved in function when an appropriate TA/S is included.

As a general rule, a PBTC with only these two of the three primaryconstituents described above will not function well against that portionof a biowaste substrate which is high in carboxylic acids orhydrocarbons unless it contains a halogen, preferably in metallohalogenform. For treating volatile biowaste hydrocarbons and carboxyliccompounds, aluminum is the preferred metal and bromine the preferredhalogen.

A useful optional component of a two-primary constituent (or other) PBTCin applications where carboxylic acids are not present can strangelyenough be a carboxylic acid or carboxylic surfactant compound. A goodexample is where decomposition of the biowaste has proceeded so far thata major portion of its nitrogen is in the form of ammonia and amines.Addition of a TA/S selected from those containing volatile carboxylicacids or volatile carboxylic acid surfactants added per se to the PBTCmay provide a very efficient mechanism for forming a salt which may bereincorporated or retained in the substrate in a form conserving laterpotential use of values the biowaste substrate.

The just discussed option is not limited to use of a carboxylic acid.Any electron acceptor comparable in volatility to the nitrogen compoundmay be used.

The second PBTC form, comprised of all three primary components, may ormay not contain a halogen although it is usually preferred that ahalogen be present. This requirement, and the one for an OMS, can besatisfied by providing both the halogen and the OMS together or in ametallohalogen complex.

Most preferred halogen complex metals are aluminum, copper, zinc,magnesium, silver, manganese, zirconium, titanium and iron. Thepreferred halides are chlorine and bromine. The preferred SR/Psynergists for PBTC's with metallohalogen complexes are benzil, benzoin,benzoyl peroxide, benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. In the case of PBTC'sutilized for treating biowastes with significant hydrocarbon contents(particularly aromatic hydrocarbons), the preferred combinations of OMSand SR/P in order are:

Aluminum: Benzoin, benzaldehyde.

Copper: Benzoin, benzil, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzoyl peroxide.

Zirconium: Benzaldehyde, benzoic acid.

Zinc: Benzoin, benzaldehyde.

Magnesium: Benzoic acid, benzil.

Titanium: Benzaldehyde, glyoxal.

Manganese: Benzoin, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid.

Iron: Benzaldehyde, benzoic acid.

Silver: Benzoic acid, benzaldehyde.

When combined to form polyfunctional synergists of other or mixedoligodynamic metals, a SR/P in the following order of preference isemployed: benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzil, benzoyl peroxide.

The synergistic complexes formed by combining the primary constituentsin a PBTC tend to be more or less light sensitive under appropriatecircumstances and may be activated for the most efficient treatment ofbiowaste substrates with light. Unfiltered natural light is preferredbut other types of light, such as fluorescent and incandescent, can beemployed when the use of natural light is not possible or convenient.When artificial, light in or about the near ultraviolet such as thatemitted from a conventional 2357 angstrom source is preferred.

It was pointed out above that sulfur is an important plant microbial andanimal nutrient and should at all opportunities in treating biowastes beconserved for its nutrient value rather than being released from thebiowaste as a pollutant. Sulfur bearing TA/S's are sometimes preferred,especially for PBTC's which, spent or residual, have nutritionalpotential in treated biowastes used as fodders, soil amendments,fermentation substrates, fermentation products or fertilizers. Forsimilar reasons, when TA/S's with a basic pH such are used, potassiumsalts are preferred over sodium.

PBTC's may be added directly to biowastes wherever and however theyoccur. They may be diluted with fluid carriers including air, water andorganic solvents and sprayed over or into heaps, windrows or piles. Theymay be used in concentrated but usually diluted form for scrubbing orotherwise treating biowaste-containing process and other effluents. Theymay be added to fluid streams containing biowaste products. They may bemixed and injected into and onto biowaste substrates. They may be madeinto pastes or gels and placed near, upon, or in biowaste wastes or inwater to form a biowaste-treating liquid. The PBTC may be incorporatedinto a foam or fiber matrix employed in forming a protective andinteractive barrier on or in biowaste substrates. Such foams or foam andcellulosic fiber composites may be used as blankets and packing for bothliquid and solid biowastes wjen liquids or volatiles may be contacted.PBTC's may also be employed as treatment complexes in covers made ofwaste paper or other suitable matrices which may be applied as biowasteinteractive laminars, films or barriers to cover, contain, incorporate,contact and layer biowastes.

PBTC's can be also sprayed onto the surface of a biowaste holding pondor lagoon. They can be added to toilet water and mixed with the wash orrinse water employed to clean receptacles and transportation andhandling equipment such as pipelines, trucks, augers, bulldozers,loaders and the like. Many other techniques for applying liquid PBTC'scan also be employed. Essentially, the only restriction is that thetechnique selected be one which results in intimate contact between thecomplex and the biowaste substrates requiring treatment.

Depending on the particular biowaste waste application, improvements andcontrols obtained by treating a biowaste with a PBTC as described hereinmay include: improved removal of biowastes from surfaces; reduction indecompositional liquefaction and offgasing of noxious and toxicsubstances; reduction of processing time; homogeneity of process and endproducts; the ability to direct reactions along optimal lines; improvedspace utilization by compaction; sequestration and complexing ofvaluable components otherwise lost by liquefaction and offgasing;reduction in the toxicity of leachates and other liquid waste effluents;vapor-to-vapor and contact interaction with liquids and fugitivevolatiles which may be captured and retained in the substrate; reductionin air pollution emissions at all points of biowaste handling andprocessing; reductions in substrate odors; scavenger, pest, vermin andinsect control; improved worker safety; improved economy andeffectiveness of process controls and applications; neutralization orretardation of anabolic processes which might produce noxious and toxicmetabolites; the facilitation of biowaste treatment by aggregation ofthe solids in liquid biowaste wastes; containment of offensive vaporsand exudates; improved public relations; and the availability of new orconsiderably improved end products.

A number of the objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention have been identified above. Other important objects, featuresand advantages will be apparent to the reader from the foregoing, theappended claims and the ensuing entailed description and discussion ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polyfunctional biowaste treatment complexes of the present inventionare applied to organic wastes to, at a minimum: stabilize the biowaste,inactivate components of the biowaste which are noxious or toxic orwhich have degradation products of that character and neutralizeoffensive vapors and exudates during the stabilization and componentinactivation process. These novel complexes are so formulated that theyhave at least the following functions:

wetting, diffusion and penetration of the biowaste by the components ofthe complex;

vapor-to-vapor neutralization of malodors released from the biowaste;

inactivation and/or immobilization of noxious and toxic biowastecomponents; and

promotion of reactions which convert noxious and toxic biowastecomponents to less or totally harmless substances or substances witheconomic potential.

These and other significant functions can be obtained by formulating thecomplex to include the following functionalities:

    ______________________________________                                                                 Preferred                                            Range                    (Percent)                                            ______________________________________                                        Ionic reactant/wetting agent/                                                                          1 to 80                                              penetration, dispersion, contacting,                                          solubilizing, and reaction aid                                                Nonionic, amphoteric wetting/penetrating/                                                              1 to 80                                              contacting/solubilizing/reaction                                              and dispersing aid                                                            Protein/polypeptide protein breakdown                                                                  1 to 50                                              product/deamination and hydrolyzation                                         reaction aid                                                                  Vapor-to-vapor and contact protein                                                                     1 to 50                                              breakdown product/complexing,                                                 cross-linking, polymerizing,                                                  synergising and reaction aid                                                  Oligodynamic metal/metal complex, ligand                                                               1 to 80                                              acceptor/compacting, floccing, complexing,                                    and cross-linking aid/micronutrient                                           Sulfur radical trapping and                                                                            1 to 50                                              reaction aid                                                                  Nitrogen radical trapping                                                                              1 to 70                                              and reaction aid                                                              Hydrocarbon solubilizing and                                                                           1 to 50                                              reaction aid                                                                  Sorbing aid              1 to 80                                              Non-polluting odor recharacterizer                                                                     0 to 10                                              Buffer                   1 to 50                                              Vapor-to-vapor reactant/ 1 to 50                                              volatile acid vapor neutralizer                                               ______________________________________                                    

The PBTC can be provided in concentrated form and diluted before use.Functionalities in diluted PBTC's will typically be present inconcentrations falling in the foregoing ranges.

As pointed out above and discussed in more detail below, some of thesetabulated reactant/reactant promoters may be marginally a synergisticcombination of as few as two constituents--for example, the OMS, SR/Pcombination of primary constituents used to treat leachates.

More commonly, however, most biowaste systems require all or most of thetabulated functionalities provided by employing synergistic combinationsof at least one of each of three types of PBTC constituents or a sourceof each such constituent--a TA/S, an OMS, and a SR/P which is usually analdehyde or source thereof.

In other polyfunctional complexes which can be employed to treat a greatvariety of unrelated biowastes, all or almost all of the tabulatedreactants/reactant promoters are supplied by a synergistic combinationof four PBTC constituents or their sources--the same constituentsemployed in a three-component complex plus a halogen source.

In treating biowaste or constituents thereof which are primarilynon-ionic, compatible additives such as benzoic acid may be added to theforegoing PBTC's to promote favorable actions with hydrocarbons andcomparable compounds with pollution potential.

An alternative for treating biowastes already in advanced stages ofdecomposition is to add a volatile acid source to the PBTC for increasedvapor-to-vapor interaction. The halogen is included if the biowastecontains hydrocarbons which can be effectively treated if the volatileacid is present.

In all of these PBTC's, the TA/S, typically a surfactant, is employed asa conditioner, wetting, penetration, solvent, sorption, dispersion andreaction facilitation agent and for the ability of appropriate ligand orion acceptor type surfactants to synergistically react with andparticipate in the neutralization of noxious and toxic compounds foundin and about biowastes.

Anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants are all usefulwith the selection of a particular surfactant being based on suchfactors as the nature of the biowaste to be treated, cost, ease offormulation, etc. Particular types of surfactants that can be usedinclude: soaps (sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids); rosin oilsand tall oil; alkylarenesulfonates; alkyl sulfates; straight chainhydrophobes; hydrophobes with primary and secondary branched groups;long chain acid esters of polyethylene glycol; polyethylene glycolethers of alkyl phenols; polyethylene glycol ethers of long chainalcohols and mercaptans; fatty acid diethanolimides; block polymers ofethylene oxide and propylene oxide; quaternary ammonium compounds;carboxylates; aminocarboxylates; acylated protein hydrolysates;sulfonates; lignosulfonates; alkylbenzosulfonates; petroleum sulfonates;dialkylsulfosuccinates; natural sulfated oils; phosphate esters;polyoxyethylenes; ethoxylated alkylphenols; ethoxylated aliphaticalcohols; carboxylic esters; alkalies; phosphates; silicates; neutraldouble salts; and acids and, in some cases, insoluble inorganic builderssuch as bentonite, borax and bauxite which are hydrophilic colloids,emulsion stabilizers, suspending agents, sorbents, carriers and sourcesof oligodynamic metals and metals complexes. Ethanol, p-dioxane,carboxylic acids such as acetic acid and glycols such as polyethyleneglycol may be used as supplemental or secondary surfactants where thebiowaste includes aromatic or other hydrocarbons.

Properly selected surfactants promote synergistic interaction of otherPBTC constituents among themselves and with the surfactant when thecomplex is applied to a biowaste. They may also be selected to synergizeand participate in reactions of constituents specific to some but notall biowastes such as the halogens and vapor-to-vapor interactionpromoters discussed above.

Advantages of synergizing the constituents of a PBTC with a surfactantof the character just described include: reduction of reaction time;improved homogeneity of biowaste treatment processes and end productsemploying values preserved by those processes; more complete andefficient reactions and the direction of reactions along optimal lines;improved space utilization by effecting or promoting compaction oftreated wastes; promotion of borderline reaction kinetics; promotion offermentation process; facilitation and promotion of sequestration andcomplexing by other constituents of valuable components otherwise lostto offgasing; reductions in the toxicity of leachates and other liquidwaste effluents; ion exchange neutralization of ionic biowastesubstrates; dewatering of biowastes during or subsequent to treatment;reduction of air and water pollution; reductions in substrate odors;scavenger, pest, vermin and insect control; neutralization andretardation of anabolic processes; improved economics; usefulness forbiowaste of widely divergent character; improved public relations;recovery of water useful for process and operational use and obtentionof new or considerably improved end products from treated substrates.

The use of surfactants to form synergistic PBTC's with the myriad ofcapabilities described above contrasts markedly with the use heretoforemade of surfactants in waste disposal. This has been limited to theabove-discussed cleaning of collection/storage and transportationreceptacles and other uses taking advantage of a surfactant's "cleaning"and limited bactericidal capabilities.

The second, and an equally important, constituent of a PBTC is acompatible oligodynamic metal, a source of such a metal, or a mixture ofthose metals or sources.

In the context of the present invention, oligodynamic metals are thosewhich, as part of a synergistic PBTC, exhibit a profound interactive andgenerally neutralizing effect at very low concentrations on solid,liquid and volatile, noxious and toxic biowaste components. Among thecompounds inactivated and neutralized by oligodynamic metals in PBTC'sare proteins and protein degradation products including manypolypeptides, amines and amino acids. Amines are among the mostoffensive of protein breakdown products from the viewpoint of theirodor. Representative of the amines in this category are: methyl andtriethylamines (strong fishy odor), indole and skatole (strong fecalodor) and cadaverine (dead body odor).

Also, associated with biowastes as original constituents are a widevariety of noxious and toxic sulfur compounds which can be effectivelyneutralized by the synergized oligodynamic metal constituent of thePBTC. Among these are compounds with SH groups or radicals such ashydrogen sulfide, ethanethiol (C₂ H₅ SH) and the like.

Other noisome substances effectively made harmless by the OMSconstituent of a PBTC include: fatty and amino acids and their breakdownproducts and many petroleum and other hydrocarbons including those inresins, tars, solvents and derivatives such as benzene, toluene,pyridine, phenol and phenolic compounds, terpenes and terpenoids.

The selected oligodynamic metal performs a number of specific functions,any or all of which may come into play in a particular application ofthe invention. Acting synergistically with other PBTC constituents, thiscomponent of the complex may polymerize, catalyze, cross-link, serve asan ion acceptor or ligand and otherwise participate in helpful reactionswhich reduce and inactivate many biowaste constituents includingvolatile and non-volatile inorganic and organic compounds. In someimportant instances, it takes an active part in forming anorganometallic bond between proteinaceous hydrocolloids which rendersinoffensive many noxious and toxic biowaste components includinganabolically generated intermediates which are precursors of offensiveproducts. Also, the OMS constituent of a PBTC participates in orpromotes a number of molecular bonding reactions including thoseinvolving Van der Waal's force and the formation of metallic, covalent,ionic, double, and bridge bonds--including those of the protonic andhydridic types--which stabilize and otherwise improve biowastesubstrates and control pollution arising therefrom. These effects takeplace with respect to nitrogen, sulfur and carboxylic compounds andtheir products.

Copper, zinc, silver, iron, zirconium, magnesium, manganese and aluminumare all oligodynamically active.

Forms in which these and possibly other oligodynamic metal can besupplied include: colloids; halides and other mineral acid salts;carboxylic acid salts; oxides; other addition products; "activated"crude minerals such as baddeleyite, bauxite and alunite; "activated"slurries or liquids made from waste or recycled metals such as spentaluminum cans, copper wiring, zinc electrodes, scrap iron and wastephotographic emulsions and varieties of colloidal quartz in which one ormore oligodynamic metals are present as impurities. If the metals arechemically bound in a non-oligodynamic state, they must be treated torelease cations and oligodynamically activate them. Depending on themetal, an acid or sometimes, as with aluminum, either an acid or basemay be used for this purpose.

Of the polyvalent metals, copper--especially in its cuprous form--ispreferred when the biowaste does not contain a very high concentrationof mixed, nitrogenous and sulfurous radicals or significant proportionsof carboxylic compositions. Copper chloride and sulfate are easy tohandle, formulate and use; non-toxic at the levels at which they areused in PBTC's; biodegradable; widely available and inexpensive. Inaddition, copper is a micronutrient which many geographic areas andproducts are deficient in; and copper chloride and other coppercompounds and complexes can remedy this deficiency. Copper sulfate hasbeen approved for human and animal consumption and is widely used as afood supplement and processing aid. It is GRAS (generally regarded assafe), see 21CFR Ch. 1, §184.1261, §170.3(o)(20) and §170.3(o).

Indeed, copper sulfate is even used in infant formulations in accordancewith sections 412(g) and 412(a)(2) of the Federal Food Drug andCosmetics Act. Concentrations of this salt in infant formulations areusually greater than in PBTC's formulated in accord with the principlesof the present invention.

The copper can also be supplied in other forms such as copper acetate,copper halide, copper bromate and copper gluconate with copper halidesbeing preferred for many applications such as the treatment ofagricultural livestock liquid wastes. Copper chloride is preferred forapplications involving small concentrations of human body wastes, andcopper bromide is preferred for some applications involving biowastesmoderately high in carboxylic acids.

Despite the usual preference for copper, there are specific biowastesubstrates which can be more efficiently treated with other oligodynamicmetals and combinations of oligodynamic metals, particularly in the formof metallic complexes and metallohalides.

For example, aluminum exhibits the unusual property among theoligodynamic metals of being amphoteric; i.e., it has the capacity ofbehaving as an acid or a base. This property makes aluminum much moreuseful in a wider range of applications than can be justified strictlyon its comparative oligodynamic performance. It can particularly benefitPBTC's intended for a wide range of biowastes of ionic nature. Aluminumis frequently employed as an adjunct to other oligodynamic metals toprovide this benefit.

Aluminum is perhaps slightly better than copper for reducing carboxylicacids but only in combination with a halogen--preferably chlorine. Also,aluminum may be considerably more useful than copper in very wet systemswhere dewatering may be desirable since aluminum ions promote solidsconcentration by the formation of flocs as well as stabilization andneutralization of carboxyl-based biowaste substrates when employed in ahalide form. The marked influencing of fatty acids, terpenes and thelike carries over when the halide is a bromide rather than a chloride.Aluminum is most effective when accompanied by synergistic PBTCcomponents that react with it and a halide to form metallohalideaddition complexes; such components include benzaldehyde, benzoic acidand benzoin and solvents such as p-dioxane and ethanol. The beneficialeffects of aluminum can be enhanced by exposing the biowaste toultraviolet radiation--typically sunlight--in the course of thetreatment.

Aluminum is also preferred as a sorbent for petroleum and otherhydrocarbons. Its compounds catalyze hydrocarbons such as pinene intonon-volatile resins. It is preferred (as a bromide) when cyclichydrocarbons are encountered.

Copper and aluminum can be used in combination to treat a much widerrange of harmful biowaste constituents than can be dealt with by eitherof these oligodynamic metals, used alone. In this synergisticcombination of oligodynamic metals, copper provides the benefits of a"soft" Lewis acid and aluminum the benefits of a "hard" Lewis acid. Thecombination is all the more effective when a halogen is present,particularly in a compound of one or both metals.

All of the above-identified metals are effective against N and Sradicals. Aluminum and zirconium are far more effective than the othersin stabilizing and neutralizing carboxylic acids in biowaste substrates.While aluminum and to some extent iron promote floc formation inbiowastes, silver and to a lesser extent copper are valuable for theirability to form precipitates. From another viewpoint, aluminum and ironare frequently preferred because both have very low toxicity and becausethey are usually cheaper than other metal sources. Despite currentunsupported allusions in the popular press concerning a possiblerelation between that metal and Alzheimer's disease, aluminum isbelieved to be among the most biochemically inert metals. It has few, ifany, proven adverse effects on human health. Iron is of course anessential and important micronutrient which is frequently added to foodsand animal feeds for good nutrition. Also, iron and aluminum wastes areabundant at some biowaste sites and may be used in scrap form in PBTC'sgenerated on-site to inactivate or neutralize a wide range of biomassconstituents including interstitial, suspended or sorbed VC's and othernoxious toxic vapors.

Zinc can be as effective as copper in some instances though itsmechanisms of control seem somewhat different as do the treated endproducts. When used as the sole PBTC oligodynamic metal constituentagainst some biowastes, zinc leaves a sweet odor not characteristic ofthe treated biowaste and not encountered when copper and metalcombinations are used. To some persons, this odor is not inoffensive.The addition of benzoic acid or p-dioxane synergistically increases theeffectiveness of zinc.

Iron alone also leaves a somewhat characteristic odor after treatment ofmany biowastes. The odor is very mild and may be characterized as"earthy". Benzoic acid, benzaldehyde and p-dioxane also improve theeffectiveness of iron in many cases.

Silver and zinc seem to exhibit primarily catalytic properties and toact as ion receptors for coordination complexes.

Silver is also effective in treating both N and S radicals to formcoordination compounds which are relatively harmless compared to theirprecursors. Silver is in this respect particularly useful for complexingand precipitating the harmful constituents of biowaste liquids such aslandfill leachates. Silver can advantageously be combined in costeffective trace amounts with one or more other metals, and itsmicrobicidal properties may in many cases be used to advantage instabilizing a biowaste.

Zirconium and aluminum have many similar or common properties as used inPBTC's and may be used almost interchangeably, particularly in halideform.

For most biowaste treatment applications, the best SR/P's known to beavailable at the present time are aldehydes. Aldehydes exhibit a widerange of beneficial reactions with biowastes substrates. Also, somealdehydes impart highly desirable odor profiles to treated biowastes.Furthermore, a combination of oligodynamically active silver and anappropriate aldehyde, synergized by the surfactant component of a PBTC,optimizes beneficial catalytic reactions and provides microbicidalcontrol of harmful microorganisms. Aldehydes also provide excellentvapor-to-vapor reaction control of VC's and inorganic vapors evolvedfrom biomass substrates.

Some wastes do require, for maximum effectiveness of the PBTC, that thealdehyde be augmented with a hydrocarbon solvent and a metallohalidecomplexing reagent such as benzoic acid or benzil.

The preferred aldehyde is benzaldehyde. That PBTC constituent is both acontact reactant and a vapor state reactant. It also endows manyoligodynamic metals and oligodynamic metal halides with photosensitizedactivity which heightens the biowaste interaction capability of thePBTC. Benzaldehyde neutralizes and renders inoffensive a variety ofnitrogen and sulfur compounds including primary, secondary and tertiaryamines and ammonia. By cross-linking and polymerizing proteinaceousbreakdown products, the aldehyde interdicts the breakdown products.Benzaldehyde frequently aids in biowaste substrate treatment as acatalyst. This effect is photochemically enhanced by sunlight. Thiscoincides with normal treatment conditions for biowaste which is almostalways treated out of doors.

Because of its ability to photoactivate and promote the catalyticactivity of oligodynamic metals, the inclusion of benzaldehyde makes aPBTC particularly effective against some very difficult-to-treatbiowaste species including many thiols, mercaptans and other organicsulfur compounds. Benzaldehyde also has the advantage of being aneffective biowaste odor recharacterizer. It has a pleasant foundationaroma (oil of bitter almond) on which a pleasing and functional productodor can be structured.

An odor recharacterizer, whether or not based on an aldehyde constituentof a PBTC, is employed to impart an appealing odor to a biowaste or torestore an odor of pleasant character. Typical are "woodsy" and "earthy"odors for composts, "floral" odors for landfills, and "fresh and soapy"odors for hospital biowastes. Odor recharacterizers are used becausesome persons find "no odor at all" objectionable. Representative odorcharacterizers are mixtures containing beta-ionone, camphor, eucalyptus,citral oils, vanillin, and other odorants.

Benzaldehyde is also preferable from the viewpoints of safety andenvironmental protection. That benzaldehyde is safe is evidenced by thefact that this compound is edible. It is widely employed in the foodindustry as a flavorant. Benzaldehyde is also a naturally occurringcomponent of many foods--cherries, peaches and almonds, to name but afew.

Furthermore, benzaldehyde is used in low concentrations in the PBTC'sdisclosed herein; and this compound typically reacts quickly withnoxious constituents in the biowaste being treated to form harmlesscomplexes or reaction products which are readily biodegraded. Also, therelease of benzaldehyde into the environment is not of concern as it isquickly oxidized in ambient air to benzoic acid (which is GRAS).

There are numerous alternatives to benzaldehyde including acetaldehyde,glutaraldehyde, citral and decanal. The alternatives to benzaldehydetend to have higher cost-to-effectiveness ratios or to be inferior interms of activity and functions and as recharacterizers for treatedbiowastes.

Nevertheless, other SR/P's--particularly those identified above--can besubstituted or added to benzaldehyde if the circumstances warrant,particularly if other photosensitizing constituents such as benzoicacid, benzil or benzoyl peroxide are included as components of the PBTC.Glutaraldehyde and anisaldehyde are also particularly acceptable for usealone or in combination with benzaldehyde.

Where vapor-to-vapor reaction is not quite so important as crosslinkingof biowaste components, other compounds which may be used alone as aSR/P or in conjunction with one or more aldehydes are tannic acid, boraxand borides.

PBTC's as disclosed herein tend to be more effective with particular pHranges in the treatment zone. For example, in treating landfillleachates, a substrate pH range of from about 3.5 to about 10.5 isdesirable while the preferred range is between 6.7 and 7.3. Compost ispreferably treated in a pH range of about 5-8, though treatments arenevertheless still effective over a much wider pH range. For biowastescontaining high concentrations of carboxylic acids, the preferred pHtreatment range is about 6.5 to about 9.5. The preferred pH is about 8.For biowastes containing high dissolved concentrations of ammonia andother nitrogen compounds, a pH of from about 3 to 7 is desirable; andthe preferred pH is 5.5. Sewage or sludge which contains highconcentrations of proteinaceous matter is frequently, though not always,best treated at a low PBTC pH in the range of about 2 to 6. Thepreferred pH of PBTC for treating high protein materials is 5.5.

Biowastes high in sulfur may be treated at a pH ranging from about 6 to14. The preferred pH, dependent somewhat on other biowaste constituents,is about pH 9. Waste water from fish processing can be treated at a pHranging from about 3 to 9. Preferred is a pH of about 4.5. The treatmentof biowastes with significant concentrations of carboxylic acids orterpenes by PBTC's containing aluminum halides is preferably effected ata pH of about 7 to 12. When glacial acetic acid is used as a solvent,the preferred pH is about 8.5. Use of other wetting agents or solventsmay require higher pH's (on the order of pH 10 to 11).

If the biowaste is to be converted by PBTC action to an effectivefermentation substrate, the pH may be varied in accord with the desiredorganism and fermentation objective. If simple cells for high proteinproduction are required, for example, an inoculum of Candida torulopsiscan be added to a biowaste substrate adjusted to pH of about 3.5. Iffermentation for the production of alcohol is wanted, Saccharomycescerevesiae or carlsbergensis at a pH of about 3.8 may be required.Important specific micronutrients essential to favoring the selectedorganism may also be provided by the PBTC.

The foregoing pH parameters can be obtained by selecting at least oneTA/S which exhibits at least the generally desired pH range and bysupplementing or incorporating an appropriate amount of an alkali oracid in the complex.

A PBTC can sometimes employ to advantage a combination of a surfactantand an oligodynamic metal which under normal conditions are antagonisticand cannot be uniformly distributed in a carrier such as water to form ahomogeneous, single phase formulation. Instead, the formulation willseparate into a liquid phase and a flocculent phase. This type of PBTCis referred to herein as a partition formula. Particular care isrequired in preparing a partition formula, and the addition of mediatingor partitioning agents which suppress the antagonism during periods ofintimate contact without destroying the synergistic functionality of thecoingredients are typically required. The order in which ingredients areblended and the addition to the formula of what are referred to hereinas a "partitioning agent", a "release retardant" and a "proton donor"are important.

An ammonium ion source such as aqueous ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) or aquaternary ammonium compound may be used as a partitioning agent.Ammonia, tetrasodium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and trisodiumphosphate may be used as release retardants, provided that any of anumber of suitable acids such as adipic, oxalic or citric is present.

The partitioning agent inhibits and thereby prevents donor/ligandcoupling between the TA/S and the oligodynamic metal constituent. Thewanted interference lasts until the partitioning agent concentration isreduced to a critical lower limit by dilution, reaction or evaporationor is increased beyond a critical upper level by concentration. Ateither point, the inhibited reactions will proceed, the PBTCconstituents will separate and the PBTC will become ineffective.Therefore, if an antagonistic TA/S and OMS are employed, it is importantthat a level of partitioning agent between (typically) empiricallydetermined upper and lower limits be maintained in the PBTC until thePBTC reaches and acts upon the biowaste being treated.

The release retardant simply retards the impending reaction betweenionic antagonists above critical levels of relative concentration. Belowcritical levels of concentration, it may permanently disrupt thepotential reaction.

A proton donor can often advantageously be added to the mixture of PBTCand partitioning agent or release retardant. The protons promote Lewisacid activation of cations which have been suppressed by either areaction retardant or a partitioning agent. In the case of a suppressantthe proton donor slowly overcomes the reaction retardant. Citric,hydrochloric, acetic, sulfuric and phosphoric acids are examples ofuseful proton donors. In the case of a partitioning agent the protondonor becomes effective when the concentration of the partitioning agentfalls below a critical limit.

In a PBTC partition formula, the oligodynamic metal or source(s) andsoft or distilled water are combined first. Then a partitioning agentand/or an ionic release retardant may be added to the mixture.

Once the oligodynamic metal constituent has been dispersed in theaqueous carrier and depotentiated by the partitioning agent or thecombination of that constituent and the release retardant, one or moreselected anionic, cationic, non-ionic, or amphoteric surfactants areadded to the aqueous dispersion. Finally, the aldehyde or other SR/Pplus odor characterizers and/or other adjuncts are added.

This type of PBTC is generally alkaline due to the presence of thepartitioning agent. If the partitioning agent is diluted, evaporated,reacted with the substrate or overwhelmed by ions of the biowastesubstrates when the PBTC is applied, as is almost always the case, thepH will drop, resulting in rapid activation of the PBTC.

A general formula for a partition PBTC follows:

Constituent

Oligodynamic metal(s) (elemental or metallohalide)

Water

Release retardant and/or partitioning agent

Proton donor

Surfactant (nonionic, cationic, anionic (preferred) and/or amphoteric)

Aldehyde(s)

Representative Adjuncts

Humectant

Antifoaming agent

Pest repellent

A PBTC comprised entirely of non-antagonistic constituents requires nocomponents to protect ingredients against that interaction which leadsto unwanted separation of the PBTC constituent. This type of product isreferred to herein as a neutral PBTC. Such complexes will typically bebased on one or more non-ionic surfactants.

There follows a representative general formula for a neutral PBTC:

Constituent

Oligodynamic metal

Water

Surfactant

Adjunct(s)

Water, a mostly optional ingredient of a PBTC, is employed for suchdiverse purposes as facilitating: the formulation of a homogeneous PBTC,the application of the PBTC by spraying and comparable techniques, andthe penetration of the biowaste being treated. In applications such asthose where water for dispersal and/or penetration is present at thetreatment site or maximum concentration of the PBTC constituents isrequired, the aqueous carrier may be reduced to a minimum or evenentirely omitted from the complex.

Several optional components believed at the present time to have themost potential (for both partition and neutral PBTC's) are discussedabove. Of these, perhaps the most useful in most cases are: an odorrecharacterizer; an enzyme; a nucleating agent; an insect and/or animalrepellent; an insecticide; a rodenticide; constituents for forming abiowaste covering slurry of waste paper; a humectant; enzymes and avariety of waste digesting microorganisms. Enzymes such as ricinuslipase, glucose oxidase, trypsin and pepsin can be used to promote thedecomposition of noxious and toxic biowastes into less or even totallyharmless materials.

The constituents of PBTC's are employed as compaction aids to convertsusceptible components of a biowaste to denser, less bulky forms ormaterials. This is important because reduction in bulk increases thestorage capacity of the site where the biowaste is to be stored.

In many cases, compaction can also be promoted by using appropriateadjuncts. The biowaste in a landfill, for example, will typicallyinclude large amounts of bulk cellulosic materials. In this case,compaction may be promoted by incorporating either the enzyme cellulaseor a microorganism such as Aspergillus niger or Trichoderma viride inthe PBTC complex to catalyze the decomposition of the cellulosicmaterials and thereby reduce their bulk. Where higher temperatures maybe encountered in the biowaste--such as in composting--the addition ofThielatia terrestris, a thermophilic soil fungus capable of producingcellulase and surviving at high temperatures, can be employed.

Repellents, insecticides and rodenticides keep disease vectors from thebiowaste. Examples of repellents and insecticides which are compatiblewith the other components of PBTC's, available at acceptable cost, andotherwise suitable include: Warfarin, citronellol, borax, sodiumtetrabromide, benzil, pyrethroids, pyrethrins, rotenone, sabadillia,ryania, chlorinated terpenes, malathion, spores of bacillus papillae,endrin, coumachlor, dicoumarol, dimethyl phthalate,2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, and 2-phenylcyclohexanol.

Humectants attract moisture to and retain it in the PBTC/biowastereaction zone, thereby facilitating many of the chemical reactionsinvolved in sequestering, decomposing, complexing, and otherwiseneutralizing and inactivating noxious and toxic components of thebiowaste being treated. Where moisture control is required in a treatedbiowaste, addition to the PBTC of calcium chloride, a glycol or glycerolcan be beneficial.

Plant nutrients, particularly micronutrients known to be deficient orabsent from a particular biowaste, can be supplemented by consideredselection of one or more PBTC ingredients leading to increasedpolyfunctionality of the complex. For example, in a geographical regionwhere copper is deficient, a compound or complex of that metal may beselected as the oligodynamic metal source. Where zinc or iron aredeficient, compounds or complexes of those metals may be selected. Inother cases, iodine as a metallohalide complex, magnesium and otherminerals can advantageously be added to the PBTC.

It was pointed out above that a PBTC may be employed in either aconcentrated or diluted form. Representative diluents and theproportions in which they are typically employed are:

    ______________________________________                                        Diluent/soluent    Dilution Range                                             ______________________________________                                        Water              from about 10 to 99.1%                                     Propylene glycol   from about 4 to 50%                                        Acetic acid        from about 3 to 20%                                        Ethyl or methyl alcohol                                                                          from about 1 to 25%                                        ______________________________________                                    

These ranges of product dilution will normally be lowered by furtherdilution prior to or as a result of application of the PBTC to abiowaste. Dilution for or during application may range from about 10 to1000 of diluent to one part of PBTC. The actual effective concentrationof the PBTC in the biowaste substrate may range from about 10 to 5000ppm based on the solids content of the biowaste substrate. Continuedtreatment ranges are on the order of 50-150 ppm of PBTC.

The examples which follow describe specific, representative formulationsof the character discussed in detail above, the use of thoseformulations to treat a wide variety of biowastes and the positiveresults in the stabilization of the biowaste and the neutralization ofVC's and noisome effluents that were obtained.

EXAMPLE I

This example shows that a simple PBTC with only two of the three primaryconstituents identified above can effectively neutralize and stabilize asimple biowaste such as some landfill leachates.

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 1                                                                     Formulation:                                                                  Ingredient        Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Silver nitrite    3.00                                                        AEPD              3.00                                                        Water (at about pH 7)                                                                           94.00                                                                         100.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Treatment:

The formula 1PBTC was employed in a ratio of 2 parts of PBTC to 1000parts of biowaste to treat a leachate obtained from a seven year oldsanitary landfill. The leachate had an unpleasant odor attributable to ahigh S/N volatiles profile, a result of offgases emanating from amixture of ammoniacal and sulfide compounds. The leachate had a pH of7.2 to 7.3 and 45,000 ppm of suspended solids.

Results:

The leachate solids precipitated as a dark gray sludge which had a verylow detectable volatile profile and a volume about one-tenth that of theclear aqueous supernatant. The supernatant had essentially no odor and asolids concentration of approximately 500 ppm.

Result of IR, FID and GC. scans--numerous organic and inorganiccompounds in the head space including 4 to 5 sulfur species; H₂ Spositive.

In this test three samples were treated. Details of the results for eachof these samples follow.

Sample 1

100 mls of leachate treated with approximately 0.2 mls of Formula 1.

1 min.--90% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--99% reduction in all volatiles.

Samples before treatment--turbid.

After treatment--clear with precipitate.

Sample 2

100 mls. treated with 0.2 mls of Formula 2 as for a comparison (seeExample II below).

1 min.--50% reduction in all volatiles

5 min.--90% reduction in all volatiles

Samples before treatment--turbid.

After treatment--turbid.

Sample 3

100 mls. treated with 0.2 mls of Formula 1.

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles

*5 min.--99% reduction in all volatiles

Responses to the application of the PBTC's were immediate in all threeruns. In this regard, it will be appreciated that only very smallamounts of the PBTC were added to the leachate, the goal being toconfirm that the leachate could be promptly and effectively treated withthe two-component PBTC. For continued stabilization of the leachateliquid and solid phases over an extended period of time, a higher dosageof the PBTC would be employed. Preferred are repeat applications--a highinitial or shock dosage for immediate suppression and subsequent lowermaintenance dosages to ensure stabilization until complete resolution ofthe biowaste constituents into non-harmful materials.

Formula 1 exhibits considerable photoactivity. When the PBTC was appliedto the leachate under non direct ambient daylight, and then exposed tostrong ambient daylight, the reaction was completed within 15 seconds.The results included a 99% reduction in vapor and immediate separationof the leachate into liquid and solid phases with a noticeable darkeningof the solids. Only 0.1 ml of the PBTC was required to obtain the sameoverall effectiveness as the applications made in those runs discussedabove; and the PBTC remained effective after 72 hours.

Noxious volatiles were sequestered. The supernatant can be pumpeddirectly into a sewer line or used to wash down vehicles, forirrigation, and for other purposes not involving ingestion.

Sludge as generated in this test can be pumped onto a landfill forfurther concentration by evaporation and then incorporated into thelandfill instead of being hauled to a toxic waste incinerator or dumpedin and polluting a river, lake, or other body of water. Volatiles aresequestered, eliminating the adverse impact of high profile volatiles onthe landfill site. The dried sludge is a space saving 6 to 12 times moreconcentrated than the leachate. As only one-tenth of the biowaste (thesludge) is sprayed onto the landfill for drying and storage, pumpingcosts are comparatively minimal.

It is in many cases advantageous to add an excess of the PBTC to aleachate. When the treated sludge phase of the leachate is subsequentlysprayed onto the landfill, a PBTC loaded layer of material is formed asa cover on the existent landfill biowastes. This effectively andinexpensively supplies to the landfill the PBTC needed for treatment ofthe existent biowastes.

The treated sludge may also be mixed with liquified waste paper stock toform site coverings which are superior in various respects to thecurrently employed tarps, net and dirt.

EXAMPLE II

This example shows how a PBTC can be employed to effectively treatsewage.

Biowaste:

Municipal sewage (MSW) obtained from Waste Management Central Disposal,Pompano Beach, Fla.

The sewage was brown and dirt-like with a very strong odor of ammonia.The primary VC's were ammonia and a mixture of amines as determined byGC, FID, and IR (gas chromatograph, flame ionization detector andinfrared) analysis.

The MSW was dispersed in water to emulate the sewage as it would betransferred through a sewage line and treated with the Formula 1 PBTCand a second PBTC formulated as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 2                                                                     Ingredient          Percent                                                   ______________________________________                                        Water               62.36                                                     *Methocel J75MS     2.50                                                      Ammonium hydroxide  5.00                                                      Copper Sulfate      6.00                                                      Aluminum chlorohydrate                                                                            3.00                                                      Sodium xylene sulfonate 40%                                                                       12.00                                                     Benzaldehyde        4.00                                                      Propylene glycol    2.50                                                      Citric acid         2.50                                                      Beta-Ionone         0.07                                                      Fluorescent yellow  0.07                                                      Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *Methocel J75MS is a carboxymethylcellulose available from Hercules           Chemicals Company Inc.                                                   

Two runs were made. The particulars follow.

Run #1:

100 mls of a 5% MSW dispersion was treated with 1 ml of Formula 1. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--40% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--85% reduction in all volatiles.

9:1 ratio of supernatant to solids.

Run #2:

100 mls. of the 5% MSW solution was treated with 1 ml of Formula 2. Thesample was turbid and dark brown before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--98% reduction in all volatiles.

The ratio of supernatant to solids was approximately 7:3.

In both runs, offgases responded immediately to treatment with the PBTC.Initial PBTC dosages of 0.2% were more than adequate to reduce theoffgas profile to minimum olfactory detection levels.

In subsequent runs, Formula 2 showed a substantially greatereffectiveness in treating dispersions with higher concentrations of MSW.

Preliminary analysis showed a spike reduction in ammoniacal volatiles of85 percent in Run 1 and 95 percent in Run 2. The tests showed thatFormula 2 is the preferred formula for the MSW and similarly composedbiowastes.

Both treatments resulted in the formation of a sludge with some flocs.The supernatant water was suitable for reuse.

The sludge was in a high concentration, pumpable form suitable foragricultural use and for further concentration by evaporation. Thenitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and potassium content was about 10 to 20%higher in the sludge than in the untreated MSW, substantially enhancingthe nutrient value and making the sludge useful for fertilization,composting and soil amendment.

Volatiles were effectively sequestered in both the supernatant and thesludge, eliminating pollution in the form of high profile volatiles andconserving valuable nutrients. Processing time of the sludge to compostwas reduced by about 10 to 15%--a major economy in terms of cost offinished product and conservation of site capacity.

Initial shock dosages of about 500 to 1000 ppm are sufficient to achievesubstantial reductions in and sequestration of VC'S and stabilization ofthe precipitated sludge. Ongoing treatments of 100 to 300 ppm or lessare adequate to ensure continued stabilization with the exact amountdepending on the makeup of the incoming material. Oversupplementationwith the PBTC to convert the sludge to a carrier for an interactivecompost or landfill interactive cover requires approximately 50% of theamount of PBTC used for shock treatment; i.e., 250 to 500 ppm.

Both formula 1 and formula 2 demonstrate the increased effectivenessprovided by photosensitization of the PBTC. In concentrated form,formula 2 changes color dramatically when exposed to visible light. Thecolor shifts from blue or green to a silver tinged deep magenta.

Maximum overall effectiveness is obtained by combining the PBTC with thebiowaste before exposure to direct light. The result, when the PBTC isthus added to biowaste substrates such as typical MSW leachates or towaste waters from food processing operations, is an overall reduction inusage providing the same effectiveness of no less than about 10% and asgreat as 50% or more.

The use of formula 2 under subdued lighting in duplicate tests followedby exposure to strong daylight produced an overall increase ineffectiveness of 20%; and the required dosage was lowered by 10%. An 0.8ml dose was 100% effective by the end of the first minute of treatment.

Formula 2 was also tested on the same leachate as Formula 1 (see ExampleI). The results were comparable except that some floccing was noticed inaddition to precipitate formation, and the separation between thesupernatant and the precipitate was not as sharp.

EXAMPLE III Formula 3

Origin of Biowaste Material: Boston, Mass.

Description of Material: Sewage sludge (S/S); black and tar-like with avery strong fetal or rancid fatty acid odor.

Primary Volatiles: Fatty acids, butyric acid

Analysis by: GC, FID, and IR.

The S/S biowaste was treated with PBTC formulas 1, 4, and 5 (EXAMPLES I,II, and IV) to provide a basis for comparison and with PBTC formula 3.The latter, which is described below, is an enhanced PBTC intendedspecifically for the treatment of sewage sludges and other biowasteswith a high fatty acid profile.

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient         Percent                                                    ______________________________________                                        Water              83.00                                                      Copper Sulfate     4.00                                                       Aluminum chlorohydrate                                                                           4.00                                                       Methocel J75MS     .80                                                        Ammonium Hydroxide .05                                                        VWR 9N9            2.50                                                       Benzaldehyde       3.00                                                       Amyl Acetate       .65                                                        Propylene Glycol   2.00                                                       Total              100.00                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Run #1:

100 mls. of S/S was treated with 0.1 ml of formula 4. The sample wasturbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--40% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--70% reduction in all volatiles.

Floc to supernatant ratio of about 7:3.

Run #2:

100 mls of the 5% S/S dispersion was treated with 1 ml of formula 1. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--30% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--50% reduction in all volatiles. Solids to supernatant ratio:9:1.

Run #3:

100 mls of the 5% S/S dispersion was treated with 1 ml of formula 5. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

Run #4:

100 mls of the 5% S/S solution was treated with 1 ml of formula 3. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--98% reduction in all volatiles.

The results of and benefits of the just-described treatments withFormula 3 were comparable to those described in EXAMPLE II.

Formula 3 was also very effective against MSW. Due to the presence ofvolatile carboxylic acid decomposition products, MSW treated with themetallohalide-lacking PBTC formula 1 was significantly more odorous thanthe formula 3-treated MSW.

As discussed above, PBTC formula 3 is designed for the optimal treatmentof biowastes dominated by short chain fatty acids. These materials areencountered in many industrial settings and in some exogenous sites.Formula 3 very effectively neutralizes the biowastes associated with allof the following and many other biowastes and biowaste-associated andgenerating processes and equipment, including:

DAF cells

Biowaste digesters

Storage containers

Biowaste windrows and piles of biowastes

Biowaste lagoons

High fatty acid content production wastes

Fat sumps in restaurants and institutions

Other specific applications in which formula 3 is very effectiveinclude: septic tank, Port-a-Potty, and pet litter treatment; kennel andsump washdown; garbage container rinsedown; toilet, bedpan and carpetcleaning; and compost pile, diaper, boat and holding tank deodorization.

Formula 3 can be employed to advantage in the airline, marine, passengership, hospital and other industries in which there are apt to be peoplein the immediate vicinity of the biowaste being treated.

Biowastes which can be effectively treated with formula 3 and comparablePBTC complexes include:

Vomitus

Garbage

Solid wastes

Human wastes

Animal wastes

Compost

Fish offal

Food wastes

Medical wastes

Formula 3-like complexes are particularly effective against fecalmatter, which is usually dominated by amines. This remains true even inthose applications involving raw sewage where the dominant mass isalkaline. The exception seems to involve those instances where a highfat diet or disease has given the fecal matter a high lipid profile andthose instances where the fecal matter is mixed with vomitus or othermaterials with an acidic profile.

When a microbicide is required--for example, in treating human wastes inan aircraft or other holding tank--silver, aldehydes, biocidally activesurfactants such as quaternary ammonium compositions and halides may beadded to or increased in concentration in the PBTC.

EXAMPLE IV

Description of Material: Agricultural lagoon water (dairy livestockwastes).

Primary Volatiles: Ammonia; primary, secondary, tertiary amines; sulfurcompounds; carboxylates.

Analysis by: GC, FID and IR.

The agricultural lagoon water was treated with PBTC formulas 5 (EXAMPLEV) and 9 (EXAMPLE XIII) as a basis for comparison and with PBTC Formula4 which was formulated as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 4                                                                     Constituent            Percent                                                ______________________________________                                        Bentonite Clay*        10.00                                                  Sodium Hypochlorite (8% Solution)                                                                    10.00                                                  Ferrous Sulfate        5.00                                                   Copper Sulfate         2.00                                                   Benzaldehyde           2.00                                                   Van Wet 9N9 (Nonionic Surfactant)**                                                                  5.00                                                   Water                  66.00                                                  Total                  100.00                                                 ______________________________________                                         *Bauxite, fuajistite, montmortilite alunite or other aluminum or iron ion     source and the like may be used interchangeably.                              **Lignin sulfonate may replace at least part of the Van Wet surfactant in     formulations intended for application to livestock wastes.               

Run #1:

100 mls of the lagoon water was treated with 1 ml of formula 9. Thesample was turbid before treatment

Results:

1 min.--75% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--95% reduction in all volatiles.

Run #2:

100 mls of the lagoon water was treated with 1 ml of formula 4. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--98% reduction in all volatiles.

Run #3:

100 mls of the lagoon water was treated with 1 ml of formula 5. Thesample was turbid before treatment.

Results:

1 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

5 min.--80% reduction in all volatiles.

The results were similar to those reported in EXAMPLES II and III exceptthat the retention of valuable total nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus andpotassium was higher--on the order of 30% greater retention of nitrogenand sulfur and about 10 to 12% greater retention of phosphorous.

EXAMPLE V

Comparably increased retention of valuable nutrients was found in otherapplications of the PBTC described in EXAMPLE II (formula 2) to dairycow wastes and in the treatment of other biowastes with both formula 2and formula 3. The data is presented in Table 1. The data in that tablereports N as total nitrogen (TN), S as total sulfur (TS), and volatilesas total odorous/inodorous volatiles (TV) in the head space ofcontainers with treated and untreated samples;

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                                              Mg/L                                    Sample                                BOD*                                    Dairy cow waste                                                                             TN      TS      TV      mg/L                                    ______________________________________                                        Washdown                                                                      (primary lagoon)                                                              Control       ˜2.7%                                                                           ˜0.9                                                                            335 ppm 1,570                                   Treated Sample (1)                                                                          ˜4.3%                                                                           ˜1.3                                                                             13 ppm 450                                     Settling lagoon                                                               Control       ˜2.2                                                                            ˜0.8                                                                            200 ppm 670                                     Treated Sample (2)                                                                          ˜4.1                                                                            ˜1.3                                                                             5 ppm  120                                     Poultry process waste                                                         water                                                                         Control       ˜4.1                                                                            ˜1.8                                                                             400 ppm+                                                                             1,740                                   Treated Sample (3)                                                                          ˜5.3                                                                            ˜2.3                                                                             21 ppm 540                                     Compost (non-legumous)                                                        Control       ˜3.2                                                                            (0)     290 ppm 1,100                                   Treated Sample (4)                                                                          ˜4.7                                                                            (0)      16 ppm 320                                     Composted sewage                                                              Control       ˜2.6                                                                            ˜0.37                                                                           150 ppm 950                                     Treated Sample (5)                                                                          ˜3.5                                                                            ˜0.65                                                                            5 ppm  100                                     ______________________________________                                         *BOD = Biological Oxygen Demand                                          

Samples Nos. 1 and 2 were treated with PBTC formula 2. Sample No. 3 wastreated with formula 4. Samples 4 and 5 were treated with formula 3. Therate of treatment was ˜250 to 275 ppm of PBTC, dry weight.

Supernatant water from aftertreatment settling was exposed to a 48 watt,2357 Å UV source at a rate of 5 gallons per minute. The UV-treated waterexhibited better clarity, fewer suspended solids (less than 200 ppm), noBOD and no detectable volatiles when examined with a scanning infraredanalyzer and a gas chromatograph. The treatment was also moreeconomical.

EXAMPLE VI

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 5                                                                     Ingredient           Percent                                                  ______________________________________                                        Water                63.83                                                    Beta Ionone          0.07                                                     NH.sub.4 OH          5.00                                                     Citric Acid*         5.00                                                     Copper Sulfate/Chloride**                                                                          4.10                                                     Van Wet 9N9          9.00                                                     Exxon Cationic Surfactant***                                                                       9.00                                                     Benzaldehyde         4.00                                                     Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *Benzoic acid, benzoyl peroxide and benzil may be substituted in whole or     part for the citric acid, particularly in PBTC's designed for treatment o     substrates containing significant concentrations of hydrocarbons.             **The OMS may range from about 5 to 75%. Preferred is about 25% of the        oligodynamic metal.                                                           ***Ethanol may be substituted for the surfactant in an amount ranging         between about 2 and 12% of the formulation. Preferred is a substitution o     about 5%.                                                                

EXAMPLE VII

Sanitary landfills present a particular challenge because of the varietyof biowastes found in them. Nevertheless, the biowastes at these andcomparable sites can be effectively neutralized and stabilized withPBTC's. One formula for a neutral complex optimal for this application(formula 5) was set forth above. The following formula is one basicexample of partitioned PBTC formulated for use at landfills and in otherapplications involving a variety of biowastes with differentcharacteristics.

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent            Percent                                                ______________________________________                                        Surfactant (anionic, cationic nonionic,                                                              1.0-99                                                 amphoteric or mixture thereof)                                                Oligodynamic metal(s)* 0.5-85                                                 Polymerizer/cross-linking                                                                            0.1-80                                                 reactant/synergist (aldehyde)                                                 Halide/metallohalide   0.1-75                                                 Proton donor (citric acid,                                                                           0.0-35                                                 hydrochloric acid, etc.                                                       Partitioning agent (ammonium ion)                                                                    0.0-25                                                 Odor recharacterizer   0.0-25                                                 ______________________________________                                         *May be any preferred oligodynamic metal source including a halogen           compound or complex.                                                     

Additives may be employed in the complex to improve its effectivenessfor selected biowastes. Such additives include borax, ferric ion, ligninsulfonate and betaine.

PBTC's of the character described in this example and other of thePBTC's disclosed herein can also be employed to advantage to controlodors associated with organic fertilizers applied to fields, pastures,lawns and other areas. In this case, it may be advantageous to mix thePBTC with the fertilizer before the fertilizer is applied, typically ina proportion ranging from 10 ppm to 10,000 ppm dry weight of the PBTC.

EXAMPLE VIIA

The PBTC of Example VII may also be added to a slurry comprised of asuitable biodegradable barrier forming material such as ground wastepaper, pulped fibers or comparable cellulosic material and then castonto the surface of a biowaste to provide interactive barriers whichmake harmless offvapors from the biowaste.

One suitable formulation for an interactive biowaste barrier or coveris:

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Range                                            Constituent         (percent)                                                                              (percent)                                        ______________________________________                                        Chopped or milled paper or                                                                        6.0      4-9                                              comparable cellulosic material                                                Water               92.0     90-95                                            PBTC                1.0      0.1-3                                            ______________________________________                                    

The cellulosic material is ground into particles ranging in size from anaverage of 10 to 150 mesh (usually, the finer, the better). The paperand water (preferably warm or hot, 40°-70° C.) are added to any suitablemixer--a concrete or paddle type--and agitated vigorously until thepaper becomes pulped (generally about 30 minutes). The Example VII PBTCis added and the mixing continued for at least an additional 30 minutes.The slurry, which will take on a foamy texture, is pumpable and may bespread by a spray head over biowaste to a depth of between 1.25" and1.5" (0.75" is preferred). After a few minutes, the foamed product willsettle and take on a visibly fibrous texture similar to freshly formedfelt. Upon drying, a thin, strong interactive layer will remain.Depending on ambient weather conditions and thickness of application,drying will require from about an hour to several hours more.

The barrier will react with biowaste beneath or added onto it and willreactively intercept any fugitive emissions from underlying biowaste.Water from sprinkling or rain will transfer some of the Example VII PBTCfrom the interactive barrier into outer layers of the biowaste. Thismethod and product will extend the interactive zone deeper intounderlying biowaste. Ultimately, any unreacted portion will favorablyinfluence leachates.

The interactive barrier formed from this formulation is easily appliedand forms an excellent, tough and durable interactive barrier which willnot be disturbed by wind. It takes up very little space which is morethan offset by additional compaction of the underlying biowaste inresponse to the compaction provided by PETC and PBTC leaching. Insectand pest repellents or poisons may be added optionally as can dyes andother adjuncts.

EXAMPLE VIII

PBTC's may be diluted with water and used for cleaning and washing downsurfaces contaminated with biowastes while simultaneously stabilizingthe wastes. The stabilizing of the waste solids and elimination of VC'sand their odors during the clean-up are noticeable immediately. Whenemployed in this way, concentrated (undiluted) PBTC's are preferred.

PBTC's may also be used in air scrubbing devices to good effect. Aconcentration in the range of from about 0.01 to 50% of PBTC based onthe volume of a scrubbing medium such as water can be used. Aconcentration of about 5% is preferred.

A PBTC can also be injected directly as an aerosol or spray into a ductor plenum carrying biowastes or biowaste-associated volatiles. The levelof application can be from about 0.1 to 100% based on the biowaste. A50% concentration of PBTC in a carrier such as water or propylene glycolis preferred.

The following formula is representative of those currently consideredoptimal for the cleaning and scrubbing, biowaste stabilizingapplications just described.

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent          Percent                                                  ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00                                                     Aluminum chlorohydrate solution                                                                    5.00                                                     Ammonium hydroxide   0.50                                                     Citric acid*         3.00                                                     Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00                                                    Van Wet 9N9          15.00                                                    Benzaldehyde         4.00                                                     Water                53.50                                                    Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.     

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate solution. Thesolution turns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add copper sulfate/chloride followed by the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the benzaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the benzaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify.

EXAMPLE IX

Enhanced biocidal activity is often a desirable attribute of a PBTCintended for institutional use. This minimizes the possibility ofbacterial contamination.

One representative PBTC formulated to provide such enhanced microbicidalactivity is the following:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient            Percent                                                 ______________________________________                                        Benzaldehyde          2.50                                                    Glutaraldehyde        3.00                                                    Copper chloride dehydrate                                                                           4.00                                                    Aluminum chloride     3.00                                                    Silver chloride       2.50                                                    Ammonium hydroxide    2.00                                                    Quaternary ammonium compound                                                                        15.00                                                   Citric acid           2.00                                                    Ethyl alcohol         2.50                                                    Eucalyptus            0.70                                                    Camphor               0.70                                                    Methyl salicylate     0.70                                                    Pine oil              5.00                                                    Soft water            56.40                                                   Total                 100.00                                                  ______________________________________                                    

In this formulation, the alcohol functions as a solvent for otherorganic constituents of the PBTC. It also acts as a solvent for lipids,fatty acids, hydrocarbons and other common biowaste constituents,thereby promoting the effectiveness of the PBTC.

In addition to its function as an odor characterizer, the pine oilfunctions as a solubilizer for biowaste components, a biocide, apenetration agent, a secondary surfactant and an odor recharacterizer.

The preferred quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride,which provides a high degree of antisepsis.

In a representative application, the foregoing PBTC is added directly tofresh toilet wastes in a concentrated form as discussed above or dilutedand then added. For treating toilet wastes Formula 5a is diluted withfrom about 0.2 to 50% water and added to the waste in a concentration ofapproximately 0.1 to 5.0%.

This PBTC formulation stabilizes toilet biowastes by interacting withproteins and protein breakdown products including peptones, polypeptidesand amines. It also interacts with other nitrogen-containing compounds,with sulfur-containing compounds and with lipids and lipid breakdownproducts including fatty and other carboxylic acids. It neutralizesvolatiles and inhibits volatile evolving chemical processes. Itinteracts with and stabilizes microbial populations and concentratessolids in the biowaste.

Formula 5a is also of importance because it demonstrates the capabilitythat PBTC's have to effectively perform their expected multiplicity offunctions and such additional tasks as may be required or desirable inparticular applications of the invention.

EXAMPLE X

PBTC's can of course also be employed to advantage around the home toclean and disinfect and to stabilize garbage and other biowastes. OnePBTC, formulated specifically for household and other uses with similardemands, is the following:

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient           Percent                                                  ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00                                                     Ammonium Hydroxide   5.00                                                     Atlas G-3300 anionic surfactant                                                                    12.00                                                    Propylene glycol     1.50                                                     Benzaldehyde         1.00                                                     Amyl acetate         0.50                                                     Citric acid          3.00                                                     Hard water           73.00                                                    Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XI

The following formulation is designed for treatment of cellulosic andother absorptive biowastes and for absorption into carriers subsequentlyusable for floating and other biowaste stabilizing and neutralizingcovers.

    ______________________________________                                        Ingredient       Percent                                                      ______________________________________                                        Water            86.00                                                        Copper Sulfate   4.50                                                         VAN WET 9N9      6.00                                                         Benzaldehyde     1.50                                                         Propylene Glycol 2.00                                                         Total            100.00                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Typically, this PBTC is employed at a rate of 10 to 1000 ppm (undilutedbasis) calculated on the dry weight of the biowaste solids.

EXAMPLE XII

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 7                                                                     Ingredient               Percent                                              ______________________________________                                        Bromine as 1-bromo-3 chloro-5 dimethyldantoin                                                          5.00                                                 Aluminum chlorohydrate, 50% solution                                                                   5.00                                                 Glacial acetic acid, propylene glycol or alcohol                                                       2.00                                                 Hard water               88.00                                                Total                    100.00                                               ______________________________________                                    

As was indicated above, many PBTC's are typically not particularlyactive against composts (and other wood-containing biowastes) because ofthe terpenes and related C₁₀ compounds found in significantconcentrations in many woods. Formula 7 PBTC is in contrast highlyeffective in neutralizing and stabilizing biowastes in which significantconcentrations of C₁₀ organic compounds are present.

EXAMPLE XIII

The preceding examples focus primarily on the use of PBTC's todecompose, sequester, complex or otherwise neutralize or inactivatebiowaste components in a manner which keeps noxious and toxic componentsfrom evolving as the biowaste continues to decompose and to renderharmless malodors released from the biowaste during the treatmentprocess. In sanitary landfill and other applications, a perhaps equallyimportant goal is to neutralize toxic leachates and/or other exudateswhile the biowaste is being stabilized.

Example I discloses a PBTC which can be employed to neutralize leachatesof a toxic or noxious character. The following PBTC formulations havethis capability and, also the ability to stabilize biowastes in a mannerwhich suppresses the generation and release of exudates from biowaste.

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 9                                                                     Ingredient            Percent                                                 ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate        4.00                                                    Aluminum chlorohydrate                                                                              5.00                                                    Benzaldehyde          1.50                                                    Glutaraldehyde        2.50                                                    Citric acid           2.00                                                    Van Wet 9N9, nonionic surfactant                                                                    13.00                                                   Ammonium hydroxide    0.17                                                    Water                 71.83                                                   Total                 100.00                                                  ______________________________________                                    

PBTC's destined for biowastes with high concentrations of fatty acidsrequire slight modifications of Formula 9. In particular, Formula 9 isdiluted about 5:1 with water; and small additions of benzaldehyde, ahalide and aluminum are made. Results are excellent with 9:1 solidsreductions and volatile reductions in the 99 percent range consistentlybeing achieved. Olfactory tests show no noticeable offgas odor.

EXAMPLE XIV

One representative PBTC described above (formula 7) is a basicconcentrate which can be used to treat mixed ion biowaste wastes such asthose found at sanitary landfills. Two other PBTC's which can beemployed for this purpose and also to advantage to stabilize activecomposts are formulated as follows.

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 12                                                                    Ingredient                  Percent                                           ______________________________________                                        Van Wet 9N9                 80.00                                             Aluminum bromohydrate (Oligodynamic metal source)                                                         11.00                                             Benzaldehyde                9.00                                              Beta-ionone (floral odor)   0.0005                                            Total                       100.00                                            ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 14                                                                    Ingredient         Percent                                                    ______________________________________                                        Aluminum bromohydrate                                                                            11.00                                                      Ammonium hydroxide 1.00                                                       Atlas G-3300 surfactant                                                                          69.00                                                      Benzaldehyde       8.95                                                       β-Ionone      0.05                                                       Citric acid        10.00                                                      Total              100.00                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XV

It was pointed out above that PBTC's may be advantageously employed byadding the PBTC directly to a fluid effluent (EXAMPLE IV) or utilizingit as a scrubbing medium (EXAMPLE VIII). Another PBTC that canadvantageously be employed in either of these modes is the followingone.

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 16                                                                    Ingredient           Percent                                                  ______________________________________                                        Aluminum hydroxide   12.75                                                    Ferric chloride      12.75                                                    Ammonium hydroxide   3.00                                                     Atlas G-3300 anionic surfactant                                                                    9.80                                                     Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVI

Described in this example is another representative PBTC which isparticularly effective in treating pulp and paper processing effluentsand other biowastes with high concentrations of sulfur compounds. ThisPBTC is formulated as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Formula 17                                                                    Ingredient        Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Sodium silicate   51.90                                                       Aluminum hydroxide                                                                              12.75                                                       Ferric chloride   12.75                                                       Blend and add:                                                                Ammonium hydroxide                                                                              3.00                                                        Anionic surfactant                                                                              9.80                                                        Benzaldehyde      9.80                                                        Total             100.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

All or part of the oligodynamic metal sources in formula 17 may bereplaced by a cupric or zinc ion source and/or a metal halide suchaluminum bromide or aluminum chloride. A silver ion source may also beincluded as this metal is particularly effective in neutralizing sulfurconstituents of pulp, paper and similar biowastes.

Also, aluminum sulfate may be used in place of a listed OMS if the PBTCis to be used where high concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur compoundsand few if any carboxylic compounds are present. Zinc sulfate or zincchloride may be used for biowastes loaded with fecal matter.

A partitioning agent and/or a proton source may be necessary with somecombinations of surfactant and oligodynamic metal(s) in a formula17-like complex so that they will properly combine.

Formula 17 is designed primarily for the treatment of acidic,sulfur-containing volatiles. These malodorous, typically very volatilesubstances can be very difficult to deal with under field conditions asthey are somewhat resistant to broad spectrum treatment.

Formula 17 is very effective against noxious, toxic, volatile odorsources as pulp liquors, skunk scent, decomposing vegetation, methyl andethyl mercaptans, thiols, hydrogen sulfide and some sulfur-basedsolvents. The overall effectiveness is about 90 percent as demonstratedby odor panels and confirmatory IR tests.

EXAMPLE XVII

The use of horse or other manure for mushroom bedding is exemplary ofthe desirable productive uses that can be made of what would otherwisebe another bulk biowaste.

This example shows how all biowastes should be dealt with--used toprovide benefits which more than compensate for hauling and treatment,producing an overall impact which is profitable to society.

Mushroom growers are increasingly viewed as community nuisances due tothe hauling, handling and use of mushroom bedding comprised of manure.These problems are serious in many areas, increasing operational andlegal costs and public pressures for such operations to relocate.

The product is unsightly and exhibits unpleasant volatile emanationswhich limit its use and, of course, deplete basic values unnecessarily.Also, spent mushroom bedding is somewhat limited for consumer use due tocontinued noxiousness which imposes limits on the home gardener. Evenso, after use for mushroom production, the spent bedding is sold andconstructively used by some gardeners.

The problems are significantly reduced or even eliminated by firsttreating the bedding with a PBTC in accord with the principles of thepresent invention.

In one representative demonstration, bedding comprised of horse manure,straw and spawn of Agaricus campestris was arranged into two windrowsabout 25 feet long by 4 feet wide by 3 feet high in an enclosed barn.

One row of bedding was sprayed, using a standard 2.52 gallon pressurizedpump sprayer filled with 2 gallons of formula 5 diluted 50 to 1 with tapwater.

The bedding was sprayed with 2 gallons of the diluted formula 5 over itsentire exposed surface three times, each treatment being 5 days apart.

Immediate results on the treated vs. untreated bedding as judged by apanel of 12 people were unanimous;

Treated: little or no unpleasant smell. Untreated: strong manure/ammoniasmell.

Results on spent bedding were very similar. Treated: little or no smell.Untreated: manure/musty smell.

These tests were repeated on 5 separate occasions.

More surprising was the increased mushroom yield of treated overuntreated bedding. In all tests the increased yield of mushrooms rangedfrom a low of 5 percent to a high of 8 percent.

The following formulas are representative of those currently consideredoptimal for cleaning and scrubbing, biowaste stabilizing applications.

EXAMPLE XVIII

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                         Constituent          Percent  Range                                           ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00     0.5-85                                          Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00     0.5-85                                          Ammonium hydroxide   0.50       0-25                                          Citric acid**        3.00       0-35                                          Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00    1.0-99                                          Van Wet 9N9          15.00    1.0-99                                          Benzaldehyde         4.00     0.1-75                                          Water                57.50      0-80                                          Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the benzaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the benzaldehyde reacts in the formulation, atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

For Examples XVIII through XXXV, metals can be used up to their maximumsaturation at room temperatures. For example, copper sulfate will form a33% solution; aluminum chlorohydrate will form a 50% solution; andaluminum chloride will form a 52% solution. Exceeding these limits ispossible, but the excess will not be soluble and will require agitationprior to application to the biomass being treated.

Water soluble aldehydes are readily soluble in metallic solutions;additions of surfactants in this case provide increased surface activitywith the biomass. Also, mixed aldehydes are also beneficial forparticular waste streams, such as in portable toilets. Note that if ringaldehydes are used without surfactants, the composition will separateupon standing and agitation will be required prior to application totreat a biomass. Ring aldehydes (normally aromatic) are at best onlymiscible in water solutions and therefore require additions ofsurfactant for formula stability and increase surface activity.

Additions of surfactant preferably should be reduced to the minimumnecessary for formula stability and adequate surface activity, and ingeneral should not exceed 30% of total formula weight. It is notessential that the surfactants be combinations of non-ionic andamphoteric. Either one is adequate, but the total surfactant amount mustbe sufficient to provide the necessary surface activity and formulastability. In some instances it is beneficial to use a cationicsurfactant, which is known to provide antimicrobial properties, such asin portable toilets. In some instances it is beneficial to combinecationic and amphoteric surfactants.

EXAMPLE XIX

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                         Constituent          Percent  Range                                           ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00     0.5-85                                          Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00     0.5-85                                          Ammonium hydroxide   0.50       0-25                                          Citric acid**        3.00       0-35                                          Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00    1.0-99                                          Van Wet 9N9          15.00    1.0-99                                          Glyoxal              4.00     0.1-75                                          Water                57.50      0-80                                          Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glyoxal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the glyoxal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XX

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred  Allowed                                       Constituent          Percent    Range                                         ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00       0.5-85                                        Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00       0.5-85                                        Ammonium hydroxide   0.50         0-25                                        Citric acid**        3.00         0-35                                        Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00      1.0-99                                        Van Wet 9N9          15.00      1.0-99                                        Acetaldehyde         4.00       0.1-75                                        Water                57.50        0-80                                        Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the acetaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the acetaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXI

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred  Allowed                                       Constituent          Percent    Range                                         ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00       0.5-85                                        Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00       0.5-85                                        Ammonium hydroxide   0.50         0-25                                        Citric acid**        3.00         0-35                                        Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00      1.0-99                                        Van Wet 9N9          15.00      1.0-99                                        Glutaraldehyde       4.00       0.1-75                                        Water                57.50        0-80                                        Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glutaraldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the glutaraldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXII

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred  Allowed                                       Constituent          Percent    Range                                         ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00       0.5-85                                        Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00       0.5-85                                        Ammonium hydroxide   0.50         0-25                                        Citric acid**        3.00         0-35                                        Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00      1.0-99                                        Van Wet 9N9          15.00      1.0-99                                        Citral               4.00       0.1-75                                        Water                57.50        0-80                                        Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the citral while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the citral reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXIII

    ______________________________________                                                             Preferred  Allowed                                       Constituent          Percent    Range                                         ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate       4.00       0.5-85                                        Aluminum chlorohydrate solution*                                                                   5.00       0.5-85                                        Ammonium hydroxide   0.50         0-25                                        Citric acid**        3.00         0-35                                        Exxon 9NM Amphoteric 15.00      1.0-99                                        Van Wet 9N9          15.00      1.0-99                                        Decanal              4.00       0.1-75                                        Water                57.50        0-80                                        Total                100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chlorohydrate. The solutionturns cloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the decanal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the decanal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXIV

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Benzaldehyde        4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the benzaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the benzaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXV

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Glyoxal             4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glyoxal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the glyoxal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXVI

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Acetaldehyde        4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the acetaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the acetaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXVII

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           glutaraldehyde      4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glutaraldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the glutaraldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXVIII

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Citral              4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the citral while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the citral reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXIX

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum sulfate solution*                                                                        5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Decanal             4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum sulfate. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the decanal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the decanal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXX

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Benzaldehyde        4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the benzaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the benzaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXXI

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Glyoxal             4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glyoxal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the glyoxal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXXII

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Acetaldehyde        4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the acetaldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the acetaldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXXIII

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Glutaraldehyde      4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the glutaraldehyde while agitating the solution. The solutionclouds momentarily until the glutaraldehyde reacts in the formulation atwhich point the formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydeswill not cloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXXIV

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Citral              4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the citral while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the citral reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

EXAMPLE XXXV

    ______________________________________                                                            Preferred                                                                              Allowed                                          Constituent         Percent  Range                                            ______________________________________                                        Copper sulfate      4.00     0.5-85                                           Aluminum chloride solution*                                                                       5.00     0.5-85                                           Ammonium hydroxide  0.50       0-25                                           Citric acid**       3.00       0-35                                           Exxon 9NM Amphoteric                                                                              15.00    1.0-99                                           Van Wet 9N9         15.00    1.0-99                                           Decanal             4.00     0.1-75                                           Water               57.50      0-80                                           Total               100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                         *The aluminum source can be either dry or in solution.                        **All or part of the citric acid can be replaced with sodium citrate.    

Formulation Protocol:

1. To 10 mls of water add ammonium hydroxide and agitate.

2. Add to the above mixture the aluminum chloride. The solution turnscloudy.

3. Add citric acid and agitate until the acid is completely dissolvedand the solution is clear.

4. Add the remaining water.

5. While gently agitating the solution, add the Van Wet 9N9 surfactant,mixing until the Van Wet is fully dispersed.

6. Add the Exxon 9NM in the same manner as the Van Wet.

7. Add the decanal while agitating the solution. The solution cloudsmomentarily until the decanal reacts in the formulation at which pointthe formula will clarify. (However, water soluble aldehydes will notcloud when added.)

The invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription; and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:
 1. A biowaste treatment agent comprising a surfactantcomponent, a metal component, and an aldehyde;said surfactant componentcomprising about 1.0% to about 99.0% by weight of the treatment agent;said metal component comprising a source of aluminum, and said metalcomponent comprising from about 0.5% to about 85.0% by weight of thetreatment agent; and said aldehyde comprising about 0.1% to about 80.0%by weight of the treatment agent.
 2. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 1 in which the metal component is selected from thegroup consisting of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, aluminumchloride, and a mixture thereof.
 3. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 1 in which the aluminum compound is aluminumchlorohydrate.
 4. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 1 inwhich the aldehyde is selected from the group consisting ofbenzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, citral, and decanal.
 5. Abiowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 4 in which the aldehyde isbenzaldehyde.
 6. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 1 inwhich the surfactant component comprises a non-ionic surfactant.
 7. Abiowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 1 in which the surfactantcomponent comprises an amphoteric surfactant.
 8. A biowaste treatmentagent as defined in claim 1 in which the surfactant comprises a mixtureof ionic and amphoteric surfactants.
 9. A biowaste treatment agentcomprising a surfactant component, a metal component, and an aldehyde inan aqueous carrier;said surfactant component being a mixture ofnon-ionic and amphoteric surfactants and comprising from about 1.0% toabout 99.0% by weight of the treatment agent; said metal componentcomprising a source of aluminum, and said metal component comprisingfrom about 0.5% to about 85.0% by weight of the treatment agent; andsaid aldehyde being benzaldehyde and comprising about 0.1% to about80.0% by weight of the treatment agent.
 10. A biowaste treatment agentas defined in claim 9 in which the metal component is selected from thegroup consisting of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, aluminumchloride, and a mixture thereof.
 11. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 9 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


12. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 9 in which thealuminum compound is aluminum chlorohydrate.
 13. A biowaste treatmentagent comprising a surfactant component; a metal component; an aldehyde;and, optionally, a proton donor;said surfactant component comprisingabout 1.0% to about 99.0% by weight of the treatment agent; said metalcomponent comprising a source of aluminum, and said metal componentcomprising from about 0.5% to about 85.0% by weight of the treatmentagent; said aldehyde comprising about 0.1% to about 80.0% by weight ofthe treatment agent; and the proton donor, if present, comprising citricacid or a derivative thereof.
 14. A biowaste treatment agent as definedin claim 13 in which the metal component is selected from the groupconsisting of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, aluminumchloride, and a mixture thereof.
 15. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 13 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


16. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 13 in which thealuminum source is aluminum chlorohydrate.
 17. A biowaste treatmentagent as defined in claim 13 in which the aldehyde is selected from thegroup consisting of benzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, citral,and decanal.
 18. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 17 inwhich the aldehyde is benzaldehyde.
 19. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 13 in which the surfactant component comprises anon-ionic surfactant.
 20. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim13 in which the surfactant component comprises an amphoteric surfactant.21. A biowaste treatment as defined in claim 13 in which the surfactantcomprises a mixture of ionic and amphoteric surfactants.
 22. A biowastetreatment agent comprising a surfactant component; a metal component; analdehyde; and, optionally, a proton donor in an aqueous carrier;saidsurfactant component being a mixture of non-ionic and amphotericsurfactants and comprising about 1.0% to about 99.0% by weight of thetreatment agent; said metal component comprising a source of aluminum,and said metal component comprising from about 0.5% to about 85.0% byweight of the treatment agent; said aldehyde being benzaldehyde andcomprising about 0.1% to about 80.0% by weight of the treatment agent;and the proton donor, if present, comprising citric acid or a derivativethereof.
 23. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 22 in whichthe metal component is selected from the group consisting of aluminumchlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, and a mixturethereof.
 24. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 22 whichcomprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


25. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 23 in which thealuminum source is aluminum chlorohydrate.
 26. A biowaste treatmentagent as defined in claim 22 in which the metal component is selectedfrom the group consisting of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate,aluminum chloride, and a mixture thereof.
 27. A biowaste treatment agentcomprising a surfactant component; a metal component; an aldehyde; and,optionally, a proton donor in an aqueous carrier;said surfactantcomponent being a mixture of non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants andcomprising from about 1.0% to about 99.0% by weight of the treatmentagent; said metal component being aluminum chlorohydrate, and said metalcomponent comprising from about 0.5% to about 85.0% by weight of thetreatment agent; said aldehyde being benzaldehyde and comprising fromabout 0.1% to about 80.0% by weight of the treatment agent; and theproton donor, if present, being citric acid or a derivative thereof. 28.A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 27 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


29. A biowaste treatment agent comprising a surfactant component, ametal component, and an aldehyde in an aqueous carrier;said surfactantcomponent being a mixture of non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants andcomprising about 1.0% to about 99.0% by weight of the treatment agent;said metal component being aluminum chlorohydrate, and said metalcomponent comprising from about 0.5% to about 85.0% by weight of thetreatment agent; and said aldehyde comprising from about 0.1% to about80.0% by weight of the treatment agent.
 30. A biowaste treatment agentas defined in claim 29 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


31. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 29 in which thealdehyde is selected from the group consisting of benzaldehyde,acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, citral, and decanal.
 32. A biowastetreatment agent as defined in claim 31 in which the aldehyde isbenzaldehyde.
 33. A biowaste treatment agent comprising a surfactantcomponent; a metal component; and an aldehyde;said surfactant componentcomprising 1.0% to 99.0% of the treatment agent; said metal componentbeing aluminum chlorohydrate, and said metal component comprising from0.5% to 85.0% of the treatment agent; and said aldehyde beingbenzaldehyde and comprising from 0.1% to 80.0% of the treatment agent.34. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 33 in which thesurfactant component comprises a non-ionic surfactant.
 35. A biowastetreatment agent as defined in claim 33 in which the surfactant componentcomprises an amphoteric surfactant.
 36. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 33 in which the surfactant comprises a mixture of ionicand amphoteric surfactants.
 37. A biowaste treatment agent as defined inclaim 33 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


38. A biowaste treatment agent comprising a surfactant component, ametal component, and an aldehyde;said surfactant component comprising1.0% to 99.0% of the treatment agent; said metal component comprising asource of aluminum, and said metal component comprising from 0.5% to85.0% of the treatment agent; and said aldehyde being benzaldehyde andcomprising from 0.1% to 80.0% of the treatment agent.
 39. A biowastetreatment agent as defined in claim 38 in which the metal component isselected from the group consisting of aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminumsulfate, aluminum chloride, and a mixture thereof.
 40. A biowastetreatment agent as defined in claim 38 in which the surfactant componentcomprises a non-ionic surfactant.
 41. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 38 in which the surfactant component comprises anamphoteric surfactant.
 42. A biowaste treatment agent as defined inclaim 38 in which the surfactant comprises a mixture of ionic andamphoteric surfactants.
 43. A biowaste treatment agent as defined inclaim 38 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    


44. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 38 in which thealuminum compound is aluminum chlorohydrate.
 45. A biowaste treatmentagent comprising a surfactant component, a metal component, and analdehyde;said surfactant component comprising 1.0% to 99.0% of thetreatment agent; said metal component being aluminum chlorohydrate, andsaid metal component comprising from 0.5% to 85.0% of the treatmentagent; and said aldehyde comprising 0.1% to 80.0% of the treatmentagent.
 46. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 45 in whichthe aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of benzaldehyde,acetaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, citral, and decanal.
 47. A biowastetreatment agent as defined in claim 46 in which the aldehyde isbenzaldehyde.
 48. A biowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 45 inwhich the surfactant component comprises a non-ionic surfactant.
 49. Abiowaste treatment agent as defined in claim 45 in which the surfactantcomponent comprises an amphoteric surfactant.
 50. A biowaste treatmentagent as defined in claim 45 in which the surfactant comprises a mixtureof ionic and amphoteric surfactants.
 51. A biowaste treatment agent asdefined in claim 45 which comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent       Percent                                                     ______________________________________                                        Amphoteric Surfactant                                                                           15                                                          Non-ionic Surfactant                                                                            15                                                          Aluminum Compound 5                                                           Benzaldehyde      4                                                           ______________________________________                                    